Meaning & use
telekinesis
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountable
The supposed power to move objects or change them using only thought, with no physical touch.
Grammar: No plural and no article before it: She believes in telekinesis.
Patterns
- use telekinesis
- move something by telekinesis
In the movie, the girl lifts a chair using telekinesis.
No scientist has proved that telekinesis really exists.
He joked that he was trying telekinesis to reach the remote.
Common combinations
- use telekinesis
- The hero uses telekinesis to stop the falling rocks.
- possess telekinesis
- The character possesses telekinesis and is feared by the guards.
- by telekinesis
- She moved the cup across the table by telekinesis.
- telekinesis and telepathy
- The book describes telekinesis and telepathy as supernatural powers.
- claims of telekinesis
- Researchers tested claims of telekinesis in the laboratory.
Synonyms and how they differ
- psychokinesis
- Psychokinesis is the term used by parapsychologists and means the same thing, but it sounds more technical.
- mind over matter
- Mind over matter is an informal phrase that can also mean willpower, whereas telekinesis is always about moving things.
- levitation
- Levitation is making something, often oneself, rise into the air, while telekinesis covers any movement of objects.
Word family
Commonly confused: telekinesis or telepathy?
telekinesis vs telepathy
Telepathy is reading or sending thoughts between minds, while telekinesis moves physical objects with the mind.
Practice
A character who can slide a book across a table just by staring at it is said to have ____.
Choose one answer.
Telekinesis is moving objects with the mind. Telepathy is thought transfer, telegraphy is sending messages by wire, and telemetry is remote measurement.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “telekinesis”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.