sanctify

verb

sanc·ti·fy | \ ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī

How to pronounce sanctify (audio)

\

sanctified; sanctifying

Definition of sanctify

transitive verb

1 : to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate

2 : to free from sin : purify

3a : 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 it — Deuteronomy 5:12 (Douay Version)

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about sanctify

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for sanctify

Synonyms

Examples of sanctify in a Sentence

The priest sanctified their marriage. The constitution sanctified the rights of the people.

Recent Examples on the Web President Barack Obama went to Myanmar to sanctify the start of a peaceful political transition. — New York Times, "Myanmar Coup Puts the Seal on Autocracy’s Rise in Southeast Asia," 12 Apr. 2021 The American flag is supposed to stand for patriotism (remember when Trump kissed it?), but too often, it has also been used to sanctify violence against 'enemies' — real or perceived — of the United States. — Star Tribune, "America's divide seen in a clash of symbols," 15 Jan. 2021 An ornate metal crucifix in the foreground and a wooden one on the wall behind the couple sanctify the scene. — Peter Van Agtmael, Magazine, "How photography helps us make sense of this unforgettable year," 8 Dec. 2020 After harming or even executing the scapegoat, the society can create myths of atonement that sanctify social structures. — Michael A. Vargas, The Conversation, "Sacred violence is not yet ancient history – beating it will take human action, not divine intervention," 25 Sep. 2020 Did this reversal of reproduction sanctify the event or displace it? — Namwali Serpell, Harper's Magazine, "The Work of Art," 18 Aug. 2020 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. — Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, "Rosh Hashanah Prayers to Welcome the New Year," 7 Aug. 2020 His clear tenor sanctified the songs, gave them a bit of distance from their author. — Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, "“I miss my body when it was ferocious” The Transfiguration of Paul Curreri," 14 Mar. 2020 The rich, familiar sounds of a black gospel choir in concert with West’s secular samples and on-the-fly beatmaking sounded fresh and aesthetically sanctifying, if not spiritually so. — Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, "Kanye West’s True Salvation on “Jesus Is King”," 27 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanctify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sanctify

Dictionary Entries near sanctify

sancta simplicitas

Statistics for sanctify

Last Updated

18 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctify. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for sanctify

sanctify

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sanctify

formal

: to make (something) holy

: to give official acceptance or approval to (something)

See the full definition for sanctify in the English Language Learners Dictionary

WORD OF THE DAY

exhilarate

Listen to the pronunciation of exhilarate

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Star Wars Words Quiz

The bounty portion of bounty hunters (such as Boba Fett) comes from a Latin word meaning

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ