sanctify

verb

sanc·​ti·​fy ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī 

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 it

—Deuteronomy 5:12 (Douay Version)

Synonyms

• cleanse
• purge
• purify

Examples of sanctify in a Sentence

The priest sanctified their marriage.

The constitution sanctified the rights of the people.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Kahane’s theology, Jewish weakness was the sacrilege, and Jewish strength sanctified God. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025

G‑d’s purpose in creating the world was that all of creation be sanctified, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality. —Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025

His magnetic, restrained performance gives flesh to this mythical character, without ever sanctifying him. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 May 2025

In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife. —Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025

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

Kids Definition

sanctify

verb

sanc·​ti·​fy ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī 

sanctified; sanctifying

1

: to set apart as sacred

2

: to make free from sin

sanctification

ˌsaŋ(k)-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun