shamans

noun

plural of shaman
as in witches
someone who is believed in some cultures to be able to use magic to cure people who are sick, to control future events, etc. went to the shaman for a remedy

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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 shamans The long history of psychedelics and religion is filled with scientists, anthropologists, mystics, shamans, outlaws, and prophets, but these two men are, more than any others, the patron saints of our current psychedelic revival. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Upon arrival, the girls find a community of ravers and psychedelic rockers, romantics and orgiastics, shamans who serve as doctors, and poets who believe themselves to be prophets. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 Sci-fi blends with folklore as shamans stand in fields to anoint the new drone gods. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 That means kicking off with the sacred mountain where shamans perform mudang rituals, the spiritual tradition at the heart of the storyline, and then using that inspiration to step into the soundproof studio to put your vocal chops to the test. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026 Ochre figures of hunters, eland, and dancing shamans come into focus. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Along the way, travelers will meet local shamans, experience traditional llanero (cowboy) culture, and be led by a Mayan spiritual guide and archaeologist. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026 The shamans gathered by the sea on Herradura Beach in the Chorrillos district in Lima, Peru's capital, holding up posters of the two candidates. — ABC News, 1 June 2026 That being said, shamans are currently experiencing a moment in Korean pop culture that recontextualizes mu-dang as hip. — Kayti Burt, Time, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shamans
  1. witches
  2. magicians
  3. wizards
  4. sorcerers
  5. mages
  6. hags
Noun
  • Years ago, William had plotted to pollute the the ley lines — the source of all witches and warlocks’ magical powers — which was foiled by a Mary, Graves and their coven sister Tamora (Keegan Connor Tracy).
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Snoopy and Woodstock line the outside of the bowl in costumes like cowboys, mummies, bandits, and witches.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of witches
Noun
  • Antoniou developed his craft through years of study with practitioners ranging from tarot readers and psychics to hypnotists, magicians, and psychologists.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The magicians performed at the White House and burned an American flag as a part of their act, causing controversy.
    — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of magicians
Noun
  • While Star Wars might be known for laser swords and space wizards, it's always been about weird little dudes doing even weirder things.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Ever since, witches, wizards, and dragons have bored me silly.
    — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of wizards
Noun
  • The Fore said that the disease was caused by secret attacks from sorcerers.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The woods could be hiding places of witches and sorcerers, disguised as the old and feeble, but capable of summoning wonder and terrors, charms as well as curses.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
Definition of sorcerers
Noun
  • This young adult fantasy follows a 16-year-old who discovers a magical attack and realizes this new world of demons and mages has a connection to her mother’s death.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Wizards, or mages (as the group has commonly referred to Eleven), develop their powers using arcane magic to cast powerful spells.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of mages
Noun
  • The island village is beset by sea hags, serial killers, creepy clowns and other evils that interfere with Tom’s dream of turning Widow’s Bay into a Martha’s Vineyard-like tourist destination.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026
  • Martha’s Vineyard also has knife-wielding men in masks and creepy sea hags!
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Definition of hags

Browse Nearby Words

shamanists
shamans
shamble
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Cite this Entry

“Shamans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shamans. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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