- (transitive) 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
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exorcize, exorcise /ˈɛksɔːˌsaɪz/ vb
ex•or•cise or ex•or•cize/ˈɛksɔrˌsaɪz, -sɚ-/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -cised, -cis•ing or -cized, -ciz•ing.
ex•or•cist, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to expel (an evil spirit) by religious or solemn ceremonies.
- to dispel or get rid of (unpleasant memories).
ex•or•cist, n. [countable]
ex•or•cise
(ek′sôr sīz′, -sər-),USA pronunciation v.t., -cised, -cis•ing.
ex′or•cise′ment, n.
ex′or•cis′er, n.
- 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.
- Greek exorkízein, equivalent. to ex- ex-3 + (h)orkízein to cause (someone) to swear an oath
- Late Latin exorcizāre
- Middle English 1350–1400
ex′or•cis′er, n.