exorcize

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈexorˌcizer, noun
• ˈexorcism, noun
• ˈexorcist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exorcize¹

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

Example Sentences

I feel like he was unable to survive and he had to go to a dark place and sort of exorcized these demons to a certain degree, or grapple with his curse.

From Los Angeles Times

But there are still these demons of racism and white supremacy that have not been exorcized.

From Salon

I found myself feeling like this is exactly how I would tell this — her way of exorcizing her trauma, her way of processing trauma, it feels so familiar to me.

From Los Angeles Times

Scotland’s first try was worth waiting for; a solo 50-meter counterattack by captain and fullback Stuart Hogg, who exorcized some demons after he made pivotal mistakes in the opening losses to Ireland and England.

From Seattle Times

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