sanctify

verb

sanc·​ti·​fy ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce sanctify (audio)
sanctified; sanctifying

transitive verb

1
: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate
2
: to free from sin : purify
3
a
: to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to
b
: to give moral or social sanction to
4
: to make productive of holiness or piety
observe the day of the sabbath, to sanctify itDeuteronomy 5:12 (Douay Version)

Examples of sanctify in a Sentence

The priest sanctified their marriage. The constitution sanctified the rights of the people.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
If Saturday’s game likely won’t be as low-scoring affair as the one Rice sanctified 100 years ago, both offenses may be in for a long day; having given up just 10.3 points per game this season, Army boasts the game’s second-stingiest D, while the Irish are No. 3 (11.4). Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024 The same mirrors that were instruments for Jewish continuity in Egypt helped sanctify the basin used by the priests to prepare themselves for the Temple service. Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 This also means the final act plays like a sanctifying highlights reel but the film’s gleeful humor and sharp wit largely keeps this chaotic rollercoaster on its tracks. Leila Latif, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2024 Such saintly behavior aside, one part of Jack that was becoming less sanctified was his body. Dan Koeppel, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for sanctify 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English seintefien, sanctifien, from Anglo-French seintefier, sanctifier, from Late Latin sanctificare, from Latin sanctus sacred — more at saint

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanctify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sanctify

Cite this Entry

“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctify. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sanctify

verb
sanc·​ti·​fy ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce sanctify (audio)
sanctified; sanctifying
1
: to set apart as sacred
2
: to make free from sin
sanctification
ˌsaŋ(k)-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sanctify

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