as in to devote
to keep or intend for a special purpose a young attorney who has decided to dedicate her career to helping the poor receive justice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb dedicate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dedicate are consecrate, devote, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

Where would consecrate be a reasonable alternative to dedicate?

The synonyms consecrate and dedicate are sometimes interchangeable, but consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When might devote be a better fit than dedicate?

Although the words devote and dedicate have much in common, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

In what contexts can hallow take the place of dedicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to dedicate, hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

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 dedicate That means dedicating yourself, opening your heart, and letting your creative juices flow more regularly than ever before. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 Launched in 2012 at the behest of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, the festival began as the first event in the Gulf dedicated exclusively to children’s cinema. Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 David and Joan, James’s parents, are protective of him, and have also dedicated themselves to work with institutions like the Forgiveness Project. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 Since relocating to Milan to dedicate herself to her namesake accessories brand, German designer Tina Lutz Morris has occasionally staged presentations during the city’s fashion week. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dedicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate
Verb
  • Late in The Gales of November, Bacon — who’s written books on leadership and college football, among other topics — devotes two chapters to Lightfoot’s epic ballad.
    John U. Bacon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Michaels is devoting about 25% of space in its stores to this new venture while also launching a party concept.
    Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Blood is always poised and ready to clot, because the body sees this as a life-saving mechanism.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Is intuitive budgeting effective for saving money?
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dedicate. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dedicate

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