verb

exorcise

EHK-saw-syz

verb

To drive out an evil spirit from a person or place, usually through ritual or prayer.

"The priest was called to exorcise the old house."

To get rid of something troubling, like a painful memory, once and for all.

"Writing the memoir helped her exorcise the ghosts of her childhood."

How to Use Exorcise

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo force out an evil spirit, or figuratively to finally get rid of something painful from the past.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "exercise" (physical activity) — they sound similar but are unrelated.

Easily confused with

exercise →

Common pairings

exorcise a demon exorcise the ghosts of the past

exorcised past tense, exorcises singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The priest was called to _____ the old house.

From Greek exorkizein, "to bind by oath" or "banish a spirit," from ex- ("out") plus horkos ("oath").

Ise rise wise vise Lise arise noise raise anise guise poise Elise