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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Recent Examples of alchemy
Something about her energy was really like the alchemy of me meeting her for this movie, and what this character is going through.
—Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Every once in a blue moon, a human being arrives on Earth as a freak accident of genetic alchemy, gifted with bone structure, height, and the uncanny positioning of features that registers to other humans as beauty.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
That alchemy is the sweet spot of our show.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
The difference between dancers executing steps expertly and accurately and dancers truly dancing depends on an alchemy of light, costumes, dancers, choreography, audience, and the whole spirit of the production.
—Jennifer Homans, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Every once in a blue moon, a human being arrives on Earth as a freak accident of genetic alchemy, gifted with bone structure, height, and the uncanny positioning of features that registers to other humans as beauty.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
That alchemy is the sweet spot of our show.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
The difference between dancers executing steps expertly and accurately and dancers truly dancing depends on an alchemy of light, costumes, dancers, choreography, audience, and the whole spirit of the production.
—Jennifer Homans, New Yorker, 2 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
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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
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The place where the magic happened in March.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Entering yesterday afternoon, the magic of the NCAA Tournament seemed to be on life support.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The sword-and-sorcery title grossed over $68M worldwide, coming to be appreciated as a cult classic, and spawned the sequel Conan the Destroyer (1984).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
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The figure of an older woman working alone in a forest hovel inevitably brings some kind of sorcery to mind, but Hjorth’s earlier novels haven’t made too much of the suggestion.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lang plays the antagonist, a bitter Alpine waiter whose family recipe for Grappa involves alchemy and witchcraft.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2026
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She was regarded as the female Christ by her followers but accused of witchcraft by outsiders.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Doncic showcased his offensive wizardry, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as the only players in Lakers history to record at least 40 points in a season 10 times.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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His wizardry was displayed Sunday in fastidious massaging of volumes, sonorities and interplays, always with an undercurrent of urgency.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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