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.
Mitevska also refuses to sanctify Mother Teresa more than necessary, instead portraying her as a strict disciplinarian who believed in organizational practicality as much as in the inherent holiness of children. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025 In Gaza, addressing famine means sanctifying life instead of normalizing violent death. Karl Vick, Time, 1 Aug. 2025 If you were seated at her Met Gala, you weren’t just seen—you were sanctified. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 In Kahane’s theology, Jewish weakness was the sacrilege, and Jewish strength sanctified God. Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctify. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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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