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View synonyms for sorcery

sorcery

[ sawr-suh-ree ]

noun

, plural sor·cer·ies.
  1. the art, practices, or spells of a person who is supposed to exercise supernatural powers through the aid of evil spirits; black magic; witchery.

    Synonyms: enchantment



sorcery

/ ˈsɔːsərɪ /

noun

  1. the art, practices, or spells of magic, esp black magic, by which it is sought to harness occult forces or evil spirits in order to produce preternatural effects in the world
“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


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Derived Forms

  • ˈsorcerous, adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sorcery1

1250–1300; Middle English sorcerie, from Medieval Latin sorceria. See sorcerer, -y 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sorcery1

C13: from Old French sorcerie, from sorcier sorcerer
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Compare Meanings

How does sorcery compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Synonym Study

See magic.
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Example Sentences

Michelin noted the expression of creativity and “serious culinary sorcery.”

Tom Holland is still a Spider-Man fan at heartThe second post-credits scene is less spider-villains, more sorcery.

The trailer for Multiverse of Madness suggests that Doctor Strange’s sorcery may have disrupted the multiverse permanently.

From Time

“The Chosen and the Beautiful,” by Nghi VoIn this reimagined “Great Gatsby,” partygoers drink demon blood, sorcery twists the beams of reality, and Jay Gatsby is a bisexual vampire.

Saudi Arabia has recently beheaded women for “sorcery” but has avoided apostasy trials involving its few Christian converts.

For foreign household workers in Saudi Arabia, most of them women, sorcery charges are more common than you might think.

Saudi citizens, too, have been arraigned, and executed, for sorcery.

Payback against those accused of practicing sorcery is a deep-set custom in some parts of the ethnically diverse nation.

Off screen, though, Momoa is already looking past the world of on-screen sorcery.

Oh, sorcery of the most wonderful magician of letters the world has seen since Shakespeare!

Robin was convicted of sorcery, and, persevering in his error, was burned alive in the Place du Parvis.

But in this Domdaniel of Sorcery even his assurance was wavering—I will tell you later, he replied nervously.

This is strange,” thought he, “that in the house of sorcery there should be food so wholesome.

He could express it in the semantics of spiritism, or he could admit to witchcraft and sorcery.

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More About Sorcery

What does sorcery mean?

Sorcery is supernatural power or the ability to use supernatural powers—witchcraft or magic.

The word sorcery often (though not always) refers to so-called black magic—magic used for evil purposes.

A person who can perform sorcery is called a sorcerer (which can be used for any gender, but typically refers to a man) or a sorceress (which refers to a woman). Sorcerer and sorceress are often used to refer to evil characters in works of fiction, especially in the “sword and sorcery” fantasy genre. In contrast, similar words like wizard and magician usually imply that such figures use their powers for good. If not, you’d usually call them an evil wizard or evil magician.

Apart from whether or not it’s used for good or evil, the words sorcery implies great power—and often great skill and command of such power.

For this reason, the word sorcery is sometimes used in a figurative way to refer to great skill in something, as if it’s a magical ability, as in Chris’s skill in coding is straight-up sorcery. The word wizardry is used (even more commonly) in the same way. A person who’s skilled in this way can be called a wizard, a sorcerer, or a sorceress.

Example: I fear that some evil sorcery has enchanted this land.

Where does sorcery come from?

The first records of the word sorcery come from the 1200s. It ultimately comes from the Latin sortiārius, meaning “person who casts lots” (referring to a person who tells fortunes).

Fictionally speaking, sorcery is a magic (the kind with supernatural power, not the kind with card tricks). Sorcerers are often villains in the stories where they appear, but this is not always the case. Sorcery only sometimes implies evil, but it always implies great magical power and skill. The figurative use of the word usually doesn’t imply evil. When you call someone’s cooking sorcery, it’s a compliment meaning that they make magic in the kitchen with their great skill—not that they use their powers for evil.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to sorcery?

 

What are some synonyms for sorcery?

What are some words that share a root or word element with sorcery

What are some words that often get used in discussing sorcery?

 

How is sorcery used in real life?

The word sorcery is most commonly used in the context of fantasy, but it’s also used in a figurative way.

 

 

Try using sorcery!

True or False? 

Sorcery is always evil.

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