exorcise

verb

ex·​or·​cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz How to pronounce exorcise (audio) -sər- How to pronounce exorcise (audio)
variants or less commonly exorcize
exorcised also exorcized; exorcising also exorcizing

transitive verb

1
a
: to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration
b
: to get rid of (something troublesome, menacing, or oppressive)
2
: to free of an evil spirit
exorciser noun

Examples of exorcise in a Sentence

The movie is about a priest who tries to exorcise demons from a young girl. please exorcise that offensive word from your vocabulary
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But this Sunday wasn’t about exorcising a ghost from his Packers past. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 At its core, writer-director Bretten Hannam‘s tale follows two siblings (played by Blake Alec Miranda and Forrest Goodluck) traveling through the titular haunted forest in order to exorcise some demons from their lives. William Earl, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025 What are these paragons of stereotypical gendered behavior to do but exorcise a demon, and embrace an opportunity for personal growth in the process? Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025 This is the year both franchises finally exorcise their demons and break through. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exorcise

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French exorciscer, from Late Latin exorcizare, from Greek exorkizein, from ex- + horkizein to bind by oath, adjure, from horkos oath

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exorcise was in 1539

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exorcise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exorcise. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

exorcise

verb
ex·​or·​cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz How to pronounce exorcise (audio)
-sər-
exorcised; exorcising
: to drive (as an evil spirit) off by calling upon some holy name or by spells

More from Merriam-Webster on exorcise

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