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
To build a filmmaker with a career like Reiner’s requires an alchemy that exists outside of ability.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
Dior is made up of an alchemy of different people.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025
Within days, the magic of agricultural alchemy will turn it all into the best darned fertilizer since God invented the chicken.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
But there’s nothing like the alchemy of outdoor adrenaline, adventurous companions and a late-night dose of athletic audacity.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
Dior is made up of an alchemy of different people.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025
Within days, the magic of agricultural alchemy will turn it all into the best darned fertilizer since God invented the chicken.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
But there’s nothing like the alchemy of outdoor adrenaline, adventurous companions and a late-night dose of athletic audacity.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alchemy
Noun
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The relationship between the Nazis and the occult wasn’t black or white, but according to historian Eric Kurlander, Nazism and various branches of occultism became noticeably intertwined almost immediately after the founding of the National Socialist German Workers Party in 1919.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
8 Oct. 2025
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Pynchon’s daunting masterpiece, a white whale of a Great American Novel, is stuffed with pun-tastic songs, rocket science and World War II-era occultism.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The magic happens when human judgment, experience, and creativity are layered on top of those patterns.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Still, the interplay isn’t the source of The Return of the Durutti Column’s magic, as wonderful as those moments can be.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Could this actually be a resurrection of the sword-and-sorcery fantasy sub-genre?—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Skinny Pedro must certainly have fallen victim to some kind of sorcery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Viral weddings and political controversy While witchcraft is an ancient practice and Etsy witches have existed online for years, interest in buying quick spells online surged in 2025 after several influencers praised their results.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
26 Dec. 2025
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The Glinda alternative, Cherry Blossom Bubble ($48), isn’t quite as authentically connected to witchcraft, but then neither is Glinda.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Some of that wizardry went into the interior of the Atomic Wrangler as well.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Berlioz himself was particularly fond of the movement, and from gentle lappings and glistenings to surges of passion, Spano elucidated the wizardry of orchestral colors and textures.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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