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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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of exorcize

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

Vocabulary lists containing exorcize

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.

See Examples For:

Q: You've said that this book seeks to exorcize the power structure in Nicaragua.

From Barron's May 21, 2026

And to exorcize the baby-doll spirits, I assume.

From Slate Feb. 18, 2019

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 Nov. 26, 2018

If you could reach deep enough into your repressed memories, it was argued, you could exorcize your demons.

From New York Times Apr. 30, 2010

And eventually, perhaps, exorcize the memories that haunted them.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

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