witchcraft

[ wich-kraft, -krahft ]

/ ˈwɪtʃˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for witchcraft on Thesaurus.com

noun

the art or practices of a witch; sorcery; magic.

magical influence; witchery.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of witchcraft

before 950; Middle English wicchecraft,Old English wiccecræft.See witch, craft

synonym study for witchcraft

1. See magic.

Words nearby witchcraft

witbier, witblits, witch, witch alder, witch ball, witchcraft, witch doctor, witch-elm, witchery, witches'-besom, witches' brew

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use witchcraft in a sentence

Check out the Technically Fiction series for the science on how to make witchcraft real and build a dragon.
Let’s learn about the creatures of Halloween|Maria Temming|October 26, 2021|Science News For Students
Beyond that, though, the coverage of the virus has mostly been partisanship and witchcraft.
Comparing the red-state pandemic response now to blue states in early 2020 is dishonest|Philip Bump|August 31, 2021|Washington Post
Ghostly, superimposed figures dance in circles in Lauren Woods’s piece, and dabble in what Alexander D’Agostino terms “witchcraft” in his.
In the galleries: A focus on the intersection of art and movement|Mark Jenkins|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
I graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in medieval studies, with a thesis on the late medieval witchcraft trials.
How to Be Better at Death (Ep. 450)|Maria Konnikova|February 4, 2021|Freakonomics

O’Donnell told Bill Maher “I dabbled in witchcraft,” which spurred her to run a campaign ad announcing “I am not a witch,” which was parodied on “Saturday Night Live.”
Lovely, little Delaware — long famous for corporations, chickens and credit cards — is ready for its big moment|Karen Heller|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
Being pro-life is all fun and games until you realize the movement would sooner endorse witchcraft over science, apparently.
Rand Paul’s Plan B for Pro-Life Critics|Olivia Nuzzi|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Other uteri, tainted by low, regular doses of progesterone and/or witchcraft, become evil.
Getting to Know the ‘Beyoncé Voter’|Kelly Williams Brown|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An accusation of witchcraft is vague enough to serve as a kind of catchall for discontent.
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'?|Michael Schulson|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Indonesian guest workers are on trial in Saudi Arabia for “witchcraft.”
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'?|Michael Schulson|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2011, a special witchcraft-busting unit reported that it had handled nearly 600 claims in the preceding few years.
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'?|Michael Schulson|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They used to believe in witchcraft, and they burned millions—yes, millions—of innocent women as witches.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Many other of the famous inquirers in those years which ushered in modern science believed in witchcraft.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Wesley said if we gave up belief in witchcraft we must give up belief in the Bible.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
English act of parliament against witchcraft, passed in the reign of James I, repealed.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
They believe in the transmigration of the soul into other men and into animals, and in demons, witchcraft and magic.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various

British Dictionary definitions for witchcraft

witchcraft

/ (ˈwɪtʃˌkrɑːft) /

noun

the art or power of bringing magical or preternatural power to bear or the act or practice of attempting to do so

the influence of magic or sorcery

fascinating or bewitching influence or charm

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

Cultural definitions for witchcraft

witchcraft

Popularly believed to be the practice of black magic. Witches are known today as followers of Wicca, a pagan nature religion with roots in pre-Christian western Europe. Wicca is now undergoing a revival, especially in the United States and Great Britain.

notes for witchcraft

Old misunderstandings and hysterical accusations have led to persecution of “witches,” most famously in the Salem witch trials of 1692.

witchcraft

COMPARE MEANINGS

Origin of witchcraft

synonym study for witchcraft

Words nearby witchcraft

Words related to witchcraft

How to use witchcraft in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for witchcraft

Cultural definitions for witchcraft

notes for witchcraft