What does exorcize mean?
"Exorcize" is a verb meaning to drive out an evil spirit or demon, typically through a religious or ceremonial act performed by an authorized figure such as a priest. The word also has a well-established figurative sense: people speak of exorcizing fears, painful memories, or personal demons when they confront and dispel long-standing emotional burdens. In this extended use it appears often in literature, journalism, and everyday speech, lending a vivid, almost supernatural flavor to descriptions of psychological release. The word derives ultimately from the Greek "exorkizein," meaning to administer an oath, reflecting the ancient belief that spirits could be compelled by sacred words to depart. Both the "-ize" and "-ise" spellings are standard, with regional preferences varying between American and British English. Whether describing an actual rite of deliverance or a hard-won emotional reckoning, "exorcize" conveys deliberate, forceful expulsion of something unwanted that had taken hold.
verbTo drive out an evil spirit or demon from a person, place, or thing, especially by means of an religious or ritual ceremony. By extension, to rid something of a troubling influence, fear, or memory as if expelling a demon.
- To drive out an evil spirit or demon from a person or place by religious rite or ritual command.
- (Figurative) To rid oneself of a persistent fear, memory, or troubling emotion as though it were a possessing spirit.
"The priest was called in to exorcize the demon said to haunt the old farmhouse."
"A priest was summoned to exorcize the spirit believed to possess the young girl."
"Writing the memoir helped her finally exorcize the ghosts of her difficult childhood."
The word "exorcize" literally contains an oath: its Greek ancestor meant "to swear someone out," forcing a demon to swear it would leave.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exorcize
"Exorcize" traces back to the Greek verb "exorkizein," formed from "ex-" (out) plus "horkizein" (to make swear), itself derived from "horkos," meaning oath. The underlying idea was compelling a spirit to swear an oath to depart. The word passed into Late Latin as "exorcizare" and entered English via ecclesiastical Latin in the early 17th century. Its close relatives "exorcism" and "exorcist" share the same Greek root and entered English around the same period.
Related word forms
How exorcize is actually used
Both spellings, "exorcize" and "exorcise," are accepted; "-ise" is somewhat more common in British English while American usage favors "-ize," though both appear in each region. The figurative sense, often phrased as "exorcizing one's demons," is frequent in journalism and literary writing. The word carries a solemn, slightly dramatic register even in metaphorical use.
Easily confused with exorcize
"Exercise" means physical or mental activity for training or practice, while "exorcize" means driving out evil spirits or banishing troubling influences.