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Synonyms

black magic

American  

noun

  1. magic used for evil purposes; witchcraft; sorcery (white magic ).


black magic British  

noun

  1. magic used for evil purposes by invoking the power of the devil

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It was like magic the first time we sang together. Like some black magic voodoo sort of vibes,” Evan added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

There’s something darkly compelling about watching someone discard the rules and norms that limit the rest of us, as if imperviousness to shame were a form of black magic.

From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2023

“Could it be a genie, could be black magic? We’ll never know.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 15, 2023

"In Blackwood it might have been thought of as black magic, but to those who knew and understood, wireless telegraphy was the internet of its day."

From BBC • May 21, 2023

Ella asked, wondering if he used the black magic oil her papa did.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton