exorcize

British  

/ ˈɛksɔːˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to expel or attempt to expel (one or more evil spirits) from (a person or place believed to be possessed or haunted), by prayers, adjurations, and religious rites

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Other Word Forms

• exorcism noun
• exorcist noun
• exorcizer noun

Etymology

Origin of exorcize

C15: from Late Latin exorcizāre, from Greek exorkizein, from _ex- ¹ + horkizein to adjure

Example Sentences

I feel like he was unable to survive and he had to go to a dark place and sort of exorcized these demons to a certain degree, or grapple with his curse.

From Los Angeles Times

I found myself feeling like this is exactly how I would tell this — her way of exorcizing her trauma, her way of processing trauma, it feels so familiar to me.

From Los Angeles Times

Scotland’s first try was worth waiting for; a solo 50-meter counterattack by captain and fullback Stuart Hogg, who exorcized some demons after he made pivotal mistakes in the opening losses to Ireland and England.

From Seattle Times

The good news is that I’ve seen ex-Rand fans grasp the damage that Rand’s philosophy has done to their lives and to then exorcize it from their psyche.

From Salon

Many say they are not in a festive mood to mark the anniversary Saturday, a day overshadowed by doubts about the political and economic road ahead and an inability to exorcize demons of the past.

From Washington Times