as in magic
the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions for entertainment
Houdini's powers of prestidigitation remain legendary to this very day
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Recent Examples of prestidigitation
This is a classic prestidigitation by the utilities.
—
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Still, getting elected governor as an independent could be Duggan's greatest act of political prestidigitation yet.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
All are likely to face formidable new competition, although an argument can be made that more venues will create more demand in a city with an auspicious history of prestidigitation.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
But what drew Carson to this kind of misdirection and prestidigitation to begin with?
—Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024
In this era of the prestidigitation that is digitation, the sheer, laundry-bag bulk of the contents of these archives is stunning.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 May 2023
But the magician must constantly update his tricks as the audience catches on, and new crises reveal the mechanisms behind the prestidigitation.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Still, getting elected governor as an independent could be Duggan's greatest act of political prestidigitation yet.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
All are likely to face formidable new competition, although an argument can be made that more venues will create more demand in a city with an auspicious history of prestidigitation.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
But what drew Carson to this kind of misdirection and prestidigitation to begin with?
—Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024
In this era of the prestidigitation that is digitation, the sheer, laundry-bag bulk of the contents of these archives is stunning.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 May 2023
But the magician must constantly update his tricks as the audience catches on, and new crises reveal the mechanisms behind the prestidigitation.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestidigitation
magic
Noun
-
Since posting, Watt’s video has gone viral, even catching the attention of the Live Like Maddie Foundation, which thanked her for capturing the magic and shared her clip to help promote next year’s event.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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The magic behind this set is its 100% mulberry silk design, which keeps you feeling cool, clean, and rich all night long.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prestidigitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestidigitation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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