1
as in occultism
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
… an alchemy that changed metals rarer than gold into elements more baneful than lead.—
James Gleick
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2
as in magic
the power to do something impressive in a way that seems mysterious or supernatural
They marveled at the digital alchemy that turns lines of computer code into a beautiful user interface.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alchemy
The Majority agrees, holding that Kalshi’s registration as a DCM and branding of its wagers as sports-event contracts are acts of alchemy that transmute its products from sports gambling to futures trading.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Lang plays the antagonist, a bitter Alpine waiter whose family recipe for Grappa involves alchemy and witchcraft.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
The Lees’ kitchen performs some kind of alchemy that transmogrifies straightforward ingredients like cabbage into minor miracles.
—Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
But the quiet alchemy of performance can be just as impressive.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Lang plays the antagonist, a bitter Alpine waiter whose family recipe for Grappa involves alchemy and witchcraft.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
The Lees’ kitchen performs some kind of alchemy that transmogrifies straightforward ingredients like cabbage into minor miracles.
—Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
But the quiet alchemy of performance can be just as impressive.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alchemy
Noun
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In one example, some teachers are let into the fictional realm of Agartha, which is a key setting in neo-Nazi occultism where everyone is white and blond.—
Owen Carry,
Wired News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The transformation of Tarocchi into a divinatory tool began in the late 18th century, driven by the rise of occultism in France.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The purest example are the rooftop concerts, a rather improbable attempt to bring a little bit of Beatles-style magic to Chicago’s Clark Street, where The Weiner’s Circle is parked.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
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The magic of the molcajete, a pre-Hispanic mortar and pestle, is its ability to extract oils in a way the blades of a food processor can’t.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a feat of sorcery that should have other sandwich makers crying in their beer, the ciabatta roll here is tender and comparatively thin.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
She was found guilty of heresy and sorcery in 1441.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Accused of witchcraft on her wedding day, a privileged young bride (Thatcher) is pursued by a ruthless witch hunter (Alwyn).—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Set in 1645, the story sees a privileged young bride (Thatcher) accused of witchcraft on her wedding day and pursued by a ruthless witch hunter (Alwyn).—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The reason the Nuggets made David Adelman the head coach was his offensive wizardry.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Hitchcock deserves credit for putting his personal artistic flourishes aside to create a straightforward adaptation, undistracted by technical wizardry.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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