as in spell
a spoken word or set of words believed to have magic power
hovering over the sick child, the witch doctor muttered mysterious incantations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incantation
That six-word sentence, equal parts civic pride and audacity, has become the incantation at the center of Orlando’s sports history.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
When paired with the Grimmerie translation key available on the film's Universal site, the spell is revealed to be an incantation for soothing and mending pain and fear.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025
There’s a little bit of mystery with the spirits, incantations and rituals.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2025
Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm.
—Helen A. Berger, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for incantation
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
When paired with the Grimmerie translation key available on the film's Universal site, the spell is revealed to be an incantation for soothing and mending pain and fear.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025
There’s a little bit of mystery with the spirits, incantations and rituals.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2025
Magic, the process of changing reality to your will through incantations, is done in this realm.
—Helen A. Berger, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for incantation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incantation
Noun
-
With the help of her talking dog and an adorable lemon named Squirt, Edith sets out to find the last remaining fairy who might be able to break the spell.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
The wand, which is made of milk chocolate and has wood-like details with the same look as Harry’s weapon, also comes with a wizard spell sheet so fans can teach themselves magic.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
As prospective farmers struggled to clear forests for rice fields in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Malaya, their efforts might have been accompanied by mystical incantations like this invocation against Iblis, the Devil in Islamic tradition.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Part of the possibly-liberal register of his rhetoric is Karp’s frequent invocation of art (and his references to his liberal upbringing, including his artist mother).—
Simon Denny,
Artforum,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Curse or no curse, the @nyknicks have NO BUSINESS losing this series to the @ATLHawks — no matter how good that young team is.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The home crowd in hockey can be a blessing and a curse.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incantation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incantation. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
