Necromancer vs. Witch — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Necromancers specialize in manipulating the dead and undead, while witches vary widely in their magical practices and may focus on nature, spells, or rituals.
Difference Between Necromancer and Witch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Necromancers are often depicted in fantasy as practitioners who specifically summon, control, or communicate with the dead, whereas witches can have a broader range of magical abilities that may include brewing potions, casting spells, or elemental magic.
In terms of societal perception, necromancers are typically viewed as darker or more malevolent due to their association with death and the undead, while witches' reputations vary significantly from benevolent to sinister based on cultural contexts.
The typical portrayal of necromancers involves them invoking spirits or raising zombies or skeletons, on the other hand, witches might engage in divination, herbalism, and sometimes curses or blessings depending on their alignment.
In literature and media, necromancers are often key antagonists due to their macabre powers, whereas witches can appear as either protagonists or antagonists, often depending on whether they align with good or evil forces.
The tools and symbols associated with necromancers are typically skulls, bones, and dark tomes, while witches are often associated with brooms, cauldrons, and crystal balls.
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Comparison Chart
Focus of Magic
Manipulation of the dead and undead.
Broad, includes nature, spells, potions, and rituals.
Societal Perception
Generally malevolent, associated with dark arts.
Varies widely, from benevolent to malevolent.
Common Practices
Summoning spirits, raising the dead.
Divination, herbalism, casting spells.
Typical Portrayal
Often antagonists in stories.
Can be either protagonists or antagonists.
Symbolic Tools
Skulls, bones, dark tomes.
Brooms, cauldrons, crystal balls.
Compare with Definitions
Necromancer
A practitioner of magic who raises and controls the dead.
The necromancer summoned an army of skeletons.
Witch
In modern contexts, someone who follows pagan traditions and practices magic.
She identifies as a witch and celebrates nature-based festivals.
Necromancer
A magic user whose powers are primarily derived from death-related magic.
The necromancer cast a spell to revive the fallen king.
Witch
A character in stories associated with magical spells and flying on brooms.
In the children's book, the witch flew across the sky on her broom.
Necromancer
One who communicates with the spirits of the dead for purposes of magic.
In the tale, the necromancer sought the secrets of the afterlife.
Witch
Traditionally, a female figure involved in sorcery or enchantments.
The old legends speak of a witch who lived in the woods.
Necromancer
A sorcerer who uses the dark arts to manipulate death and life forces.
His reputation as a necromancer kept the villagers at bay.
Witch
Often depicted in folklore as a practitioner of hexes and charms.
The village witch was sought out for her protective charms.
Necromancer
A character in fantasy or horror who deals with death and the undead.
The necromancer's lair was filled with dark artifacts.
Witch
A person practicing witchcraft, often with magical or mystical powers.
The witch brewed a potion to cure the illness.
Necromancer
The practice of supposedly communicating with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future.
Witch
A person, especially a woman, claiming or popularly believed to possess magical powers and practice sorcery.
Necromancer
Black magic; sorcery.
Witch
A believer or follower of Wicca; a Wiccan.
Necromancer
Magic qualities.
Witch
(Offensive) An old woman considered to be ugly or frightening.
Necromancer
A person who practices or performs necromancy.
Witch
A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing.
Necromancer
One who practices necromancy; a sorcerer; a wizard.
Witch
(Informal) A woman or girl considered to be charming or fascinating.
Necromancer
One who practices magic or sorcery
Witch
One particularly skilled or competent at one's craft
"A witch of a writer, [she] is capable of developing an intensity that verges on ferocity" (Peter S. Prescott).
Necromancer
One who practices divination by conjuring up the dead
Witch
To work or cast a spell on; bewitch.
Witch
To cause, bring, or effect by witchcraft.
Witch
To use a divining rod to find underground water or minerals; dowse.
Witch
A person who practices witchcraft.
Witch
(now usually particularly) A woman who is learned in and actively practices witchcraft.
Witch
An ugly or unpleasant woman.
I hate that old witch.
Witch
One who exercises more-than-common power of attraction; a charming or bewitching person.
Witch
One given to mischief, especially a woman or child.
Witch
(geometry) A certain curve of the third order, described by Maria Agnesi under the name versiera.
Witch
The storm petrel.
Witch
Any of a number of flatfish:
Witch
Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (Torbay sole), found in the North Atlantic.
Witch
Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (megrim), found in the North Atlantic.
Witch
Arnoglossus scapha, found near New Zealand.
Witch
The Indomalayan butterfly Araotes lapithis, of the family Lycaenidae.
Witch
A cone of paper which is placed in a vessel of lard or other fat and used as a taper.
Witch
(intransitive) To dowse for water.
Witch
To practise witchcraft.
Witch
(transitive) To bewitch.
Witch
A cone of paper which is placed in a vessel of lard or other fat, and used as a taper.
Witch
One who practices the black art, or magic; one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by compact with an evil spirit, esp. with the Devil; a sorcerer or sorceress; - now applied chiefly or only to women, but formerly used of men as well.
There was a man in that city whose name was Simon, a witch.
He can not abide the old woman of Brentford; he swears she's a witch.
Witch
An ugly old woman; a hag.
Witch
One who exercises more than common power of attraction; a charming or bewitching person; also, one given to mischief; - said especially of a woman or child.
Witch
A certain curve of the third order, described by Maria Agnesi under the name versiera.
Witch
The stormy petrel.
Witch
A Wiccan; an adherent or practitioner of Wicca, a religion which in different forms may be paganistic and nature-oriented, or ditheistic. The term witch applies to both male and female adherents in this sense.
Witch
To bewitch; to fascinate; to enchant.
[I 'll] witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.
Whether within us or withoutThe spell of this illusion beThat witches us to hear and see.
Witch
A female sorcerer or magician
Witch
A being (usually female) imagined to have special powers derived from the devil
Witch
An ugly evil-looking old woman
Witch
Cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
Common Curiosities
Can necromancers be seen in a positive light?
Rarely, but some modern interpretations show necromancers who use their powers for good.
What is the main difference in the tools used by necromancers and witches?
Necromancers use tools associated with death, while witches use a variety of magical artifacts.
What are common misconceptions about witches?
Common misconceptions include the idea that all witches are evil or harm others.
What defines a necromancer in fantasy genres?
A necromancer is defined by their ability to raise and control the dead.
Can a witch also be a necromancer?
In some stories and magical systems, a witch might also engage in necromancy.
Is the practice of necromancy always considered dark magic?
Typically, yes, due to its association with death and the undead.
Are all witches evil in folklore?
No, witches vary greatly in folklore, ranging from benevolent to malevolent figures.
Do witches always use brooms in magic?
Brooms are a common symbol but not all witches in stories or modern practices use them.
Do both necromancers and witches have communities in real life?
Witches have real-life communities, especially among pagans; necromancers, as depicted in fiction, do not.
What educational background do necromancers and witches have in stories?
Often, both are shown as having extensive knowledge of magical arts, though acquired through different means.
How do necromancers and witches acquire their powers?
This varies widely depending on the story or cultural context, ranging from innate abilities to learned skills.
Are necromancers common in all types of fantasy media?
Necromancers are a staple in dark fantasy genres but less common in others.
How are necromancers and witches portrayed differently in children’s literature?
Necromancers are rarely present due to their dark nature, while witches are often depicted in a more whimsical or benign manner.
What role do witches play in contemporary culture?
In contemporary culture, witches often symbolize empowerment and a connection to nature.
How do public perceptions of necromancers and witches influence their portrayal in media?
Public perceptions heavily influence how these figures are portrayed, with necromancers usually seen as villains and witches’ roles more varied.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
