sorcery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorcery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the practice of magic, especially in a fictional or fantasy context. Example: "The ancient book was filled with spells and incantations, revealing the secrets of sorcery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Last autumn, the president's oldest daughter, Gulnara Karimova, an occasional pop star and businesswoman whose dealings are the subject of two corruption investigations in Europe, accused her sister of sorcery and claimed her mother was trying to "destroy" her.

The Guardian

"The Abu Dhabi judicial department, through statements and television adverts, has warned employers that if they don't treat their workers well they may harm them or their children, and commit crimes such as theft or sorcery.

The Guardian

In October, after her younger sister, Lola, distanced herself from the mounting scandals, Ms Karimova used social media to accuse her sister of practising "sorcery" and indeed of bewitching their mother.All this has contributed to Ms Karimova's image outside Uzbekistan as a caricature of the vain, aggressive and greedy child of a dictator.

The Economist

Cultural critics complain about "macabre scenes full of sorcery" in the films.

The Economist

A western Republican in the Reagan mould, he has a long record of working with both Democrats and America's allies.If only the real John McCain had been runningThat, however, was Senator McCain; the Candidate McCain of the past six months has too often seemed the victim of political sorcery, his good features magically inverted, his bad ones exaggerated.

The Economist

ON SEPTEMBER 19th Abdul Hamid al-Fakki, a Sudanese, was executed in Saudi Arabia for the crime of "sorcery".

The Economist

The spate of killings was surprising not only because it was so sudden the kingdom carried out a total of 79 executions last year but also because many of those killed were convicted of relatively minor offences, such as smuggling hashish or, strangely, "sorcery".

The Economist

But if so, it is a magic that comes through dedication, not sorcery.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

She believes that games or the lessons learned by those who design them—hold important lessons for life in the real world.The most persuasive example concerns World of Warcraft, an online, multiplayer, swords-and-sorcery game played by some 11m people worldwide.

The Economist

Indeed, the early issues were almost underwater sword-and-sorcery stories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

December 24, 1910 Chicago, Illinois September 5, 1992 San Francisco, California Fritz Leiber, in full Fritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. (born Dec. 24, 1910, Chicago, Ill., U.S. died Sept. 5, 1992, San Francisco, Calif ., American writer noted for his stories of innovation in sword-and-sorcery, contemporary horror, and satiric science fiction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorcery" when referring to magical practices, especially those involving spells and rituals, in both real-world and fictional contexts.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "sorcery", which relates to magic, with "source", which refers to the origin or cause of something. Using them interchangeably will lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sorcery" is as a noun. It names the practice or art of using magic, often associated with supernatural powers and spells. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorcery" is a noun denoting the use of magic, spells, or supernatural powers. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English. It is widely used across diverse contexts, with a pronounced presence in encyclopedias and news media. While often interchangeable with terms like "witchcraft" and "magic", it maintains its unique connotation. When employing "sorcery", ensure that its magical or supernatural implication aligns with your intended message. Be sure not to confuse it with similar-sounding words to preserve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

witchcraft

Focuses specifically on the practices associated with witches.

magic

A broader term encompassing all supernatural powers and practices.

wizardry

Implies skill and knowledge in magic, often associated with wizards.

spellcasting

Highlights the act of casting spells.

black magic

Specifically refers to magic used for evil or selfish purposes.

conjuration

Emphasizes the summoning or invoking of spirits or supernatural forces.

incantation

Focuses on the verbal aspect of magic, using spoken words to achieve a magical effect.

thaumaturgy

Refers to the performance of miracles or wonders.

supernatural power

Indicates abilities beyond the natural or scientific realm.

deception

Captures the manipulative and misleading aspects sometimes associated with "sorcery".

FAQs

How is "sorcery" typically used in sentences?

"Sorcery" is commonly used as a noun to describe magical practices or powers, as in "The kingdom outlawed the practice of "sorcery"" or "She was accused of using "sorcery" to harm her enemies."

What are some synonyms for "sorcery"?

Alternatives to "sorcery" include "witchcraft", "magic", "wizardry", "spellcasting" and "black magic", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "sorcery" a formal or informal term?

"Sorcery" is neither strictly formal nor informal; its formality depends on context. It can appear in academic discussions of folklore and religion, as well as in fantasy literature.

What's the difference between "sorcery" and "witchcraft"?

While often used interchangeably, "sorcery" can refer more broadly to any use of magical power, whereas "witchcraft" often implies a specific tradition or set of practices, sometimes associated with negative connotations or stereotypes.