sanctify

verb

sanc·ti·fy | \ ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī

How to pronounce sanctify (audio)

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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)

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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 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 Every Star Wars after this one will try to make its characters important, like societally crucial, glazed with Chosen One frosting, sanctified with sacred sacrifice. — Darren Franich, EW.com, "Star Wars rewatch: The Empire Strikes Back is the special effects movie that hates special effects," 30 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.

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Dictionary Entries near sanctify

sancta simplicitas

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctify. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.

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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

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