hocus-pocus

noun

ˌhō-kəs-ˈpō-kəs How to pronounce hocus-pocus (audio)
Definition of hocus-pocusnext
as in magic
the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions for entertainment with some well-crafted hocus-pocus, the illusionist made the dove disappear from his hands

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hocus-pocus No more hocus-pocus putting taxpayers on the hook for some sketchy deal that may or may not show a positive return in 15 years, if lucky. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 In both Joss Whedon's theatrical version and Zack Snyder's longer cut, Clark Kent is resurrected by some cosmic hocus-pocus housed in an alien Mother Box. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 July 2025 The national security issue is just hocus-pocus — there isn't anything to it, really. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 31 Jan. 2025 So the hocus-pocus of GPT halting on my name is a rare but conspicuous leaf on a much larger tree of model control. — Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024 One of the important things Conclave does is to slowly peel back archaic layers to reveal what all the hocus-pocus represents in this day and age. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024 That's essentially what predictive AI does, minus the mystical hocus-pocus. — Bernard Marr, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hocus-pocus
magic
Noun
  • While these tracks are endearing enough, Way Dynamic’s real magic sits at the juncture of folk and forlornness, when Young’s guitar is allowed to ramble and his regrets are sharp enough to bruise.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To double the magic, running water could be added to the mix.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of magic

Browse Nearby Words

hocks
hocus-pocus
hod
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Cite this Entry

“Hocus-pocus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hocus-pocus. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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