exorcise
verb
ex·or·cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz 
-sər-
-sər-
variants or less commonly exorcize
exorcised also exorcized; exorcising also exorcizing
1
a
: to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration
b
: to get rid of (something troublesome, menacing, or oppressive)
They tried hard to exorcise their feelings of guilt.
2
: to free of an evil spirit
exorciser noun
Examples of exorcise in a Sentence
The movie is about a priest who tries to exorcise demons from a young girl. please exorcise that offensive word from your vocabulary
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, with the burden of history lifted and the demons of past Masters Sundays exorcised, McIlroy exudes a freedom his past steps around this place did not enjoy. —
Justin Ray, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 An opinion offered offhand suggests a secret wickedness that must be exorcised. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026 Natalie, a ghost who forgot she was exorcised, asks who is going to get the Pinocchio mask. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Medfield already exorcised those demons with Nauset by routing it in the state semifinal, 5-0, but still has one more to go for its first state title since 2016. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exorcise
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Justin Ray, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 An opinion offered offhand suggests a secret wickedness that must be exorcised. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026 Natalie, a ghost who forgot she was exorcised, asks who is going to get the Pinocchio mask. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Medfield already exorcised those demons with Nauset by routing it in the state semifinal, 5-0, but still has one more to go for its first state title since 2016. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exorcise
Cite this Entry
“Exorcise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/exorcise. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exorcise
verb
ex·or·cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz
-sər-
exorcised; exorcising
: to drive (as an evil spirit) off by calling upon some holy name or by spells
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