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
That’s the real alchemy: when financial capital becomes a means to grow human, social and intellectual capital.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
The perfumer achieved this alchemy by steeping Habit Rouge in wooden barrels that previously held the pedigreed French brandy.
—Air Mail, 26 Apr. 2025
Few fans will want to remember how this team plays in the Premier League, but Amorim — much like his predecessor Erik ten Hag — has found a certain alchemy in the cups.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Thank you to the Tony nominating committee for taking these teenage girls seriously and for seeing and honoring that mysterious alchemy that occurs between playwright, actor, designer and director—this was a true collaboration.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
The perfumer achieved this alchemy by steeping Habit Rouge in wooden barrels that previously held the pedigreed French brandy.
—Air Mail, 26 Apr. 2025
Few fans will want to remember how this team plays in the Premier League, but Amorim — much like his predecessor Erik ten Hag — has found a certain alchemy in the cups.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Thank you to the Tony nominating committee for taking these teenage girls seriously and for seeing and honoring that mysterious alchemy that occurs between playwright, actor, designer and director—this was a true collaboration.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alchemy
Noun
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In modern pop culture, vampires have strayed away from occultism and are often depicted through a Christian lens, being repelled by crucifixes and sunlight.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Mysticism and occultism spread rapidly in the dying days of the Russian empire.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This, of course, will be a film projector, complete with platters that contained film—the material that, when light was passed through them, enabled the magic contained inside them to be projected onto the big screen.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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From there, viewers are treated to fleeting glimpses of Elphaba working her magic, Glinda adorning herself with a glittering crown and a peek at some menacing flying monkeys.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Both ancient and modern pieces are curated into exhibits about sorcery, motherhood, or high-fashion gowns.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
17 Apr. 2025
-
His putting is and will always be capable of sorcery.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Similar fears haunted Europeans and British Americans during the early modern period; one need only consult the witchcraft paintings of Francisco Goya, which show covens of half-naked women killing babies, eating people, and cavorting with the Devil.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
17 May 2025
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Did Reggie Miller partake in some sort of basketball witchcraft and bestow the team locker room with his come-from-behind powers?—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Ramsay is a filmmaker of undeniable formal wizardry and a fearless explorer of psychological rupture.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 May 2025
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The Hood is a mystical villain, and somehow, Williams will need to figure out how high-tech wizardry can combat outright magic.—
Michileen Martin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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