exorcise

[ ek-sawr-sahyz, -ser- ]

/ ˈɛk sɔrˌsaɪz, -sər- /

to seek to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration or religious or solemn ceremonies: to exorcise a demon.

to free (a person, place, etc.) of evil spirits or malignant influences.

RELATED WORDS

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin exorcizāre < Greek exorkízein, equivalent to ex- ex-³ + (h)orkízein to cause (someone) to swear an oath

Related formsex·or·cise·ment, nounex·or·cis·er, nounun·ex·or·cised, adjective

Can be confusedexercise exorcise (see synonym study at exercise)

Though it was exorcised and is now caged, it apparently still moves about and growls at visitors.
Beware: Connecticut’s Museum of the Occult May Kill You|Nina Strochlic|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
CEOs may not get too exorcised about a falling stock price or declining market share.
‘Abercrombie’ Lawsuit: Why CEOs Love Their Jets|Daniel Gross|October 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But it seemed to have exorcised many of the demons haunting the lithe and fair actress.
Anne Heche’s Crazy New Movie, ‘That’s What She Said’|Lorenza Muñoz|October 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The mission bequeathed to him by Richard King haunted his thoughts like a spectre not to be exorcised.
The Parisians, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton

By way of reprisal the living dug up, exorcised, and mutilated the supposed vampires.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 3 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis
After the priests had exorcised them by blowing these trumpets, the town was troubled no more.
Critical & Historical Essays|Edward MacDowell
He overhauled the wire rope, and exorcised hawsers out of crypts all over the ship.
The Atlantic Telegraph|William Howard Russell
She sustained him, encouraged him, soothed him when the sad moods came on, and exorcised the evil spirit absolutely.
McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3, August, 1893|Various