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magic words

NOUN
hocus-pocus
Synonyms
STRONG
abracadabra artifice cant chant charm cheating chicanery conjuring deceit deception delusion flimflam fraud gibberish hoax humbug imposture incantation jargon juggling legerdemain magic mummery mystification nonsense occultism rigmarole spell swindle trick trickery
WEAK
gobbledegook hocus monkey business mumbo jumbo open sesame sleight of hand smoke and mirrors
Antonyms
STRONG
fact frankness honesty honor openness reality sense standard truth truthfulness uprightness
NOUN
magic spell
Synonyms
WEAK
abracadabra chant conjuration hex hocus-pocus incantation jinx magic charm mumbo-jumbo

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Companies can spark temporary insanity by just saying some magic words.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

But Huang’s magic words, and his dismissal of an AI bubble, are proving a lot more powerful than the interest-rate market’s recalcitrance.

From Barron's • Nov. 20, 2025

"What happens to trading after the magic words are uttered?" he asked, referring to the formal granting of a winding up petition.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

As she tells it in her new memoir, “Earth to Moon,” out Tuesday, her dad said the five magic words: “We’re gonna record a song.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2024

Like maybe I should start chanting some magic words.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

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