sanctification

1 the act of making something holy through religious ritual <the sacred site required another sanctification after it had been defiled by the invaders> Synonyms blessing, hallowing, consecrationRelated Words purification; dedication; adoration, glorification, reverence, veneration, worshipNear Antonyms debasement, defilement, desecration, impiety, irreverence, profanation, sacrilege

2 the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt <the Christian belief that the suffering and death of Jesus was responsible for the sanctification of all humankind> Synonyms cleansing, purificationRelated Words rebirth, regeneration, restoration; grace, redemption, salvation; absolution, forgiveness, remission; acquittal, clearance, clearing, exoneration, vindication; atonement, expiationNear Antonyms blasphemy, defilement, desecration, profanation, violation; corruption, debasement, perversion; contamination, pollution, sullying, tarnishing