sanctity

sanc·ti·ty | \ ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-tē

How to pronounce sanctity (audio)

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plural sanctities

Definition of sanctity

1 : holiness of life and character : godliness

2a : the quality or state of being holy or sacred : inviolability

b sanctities plural : sacred objects, obligations, or rights

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sanctity

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Examples of sanctity in a Sentence

the sanctity of the elderly nun shone through in her every word and gesture

Recent Examples on the Web But this postseason configuration would desecrate and extinguish the sanctity of baseball’s 162-game season. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "NBA and MLB show us what change for the worse looks like," 11 Feb. 2020 This was eroding the sanctity of journalism so profoundly that, for example, Tom Brokaw was occasionally leaving his proper home on the main NBC network to appear on MSNBC and CNBC! — Nicholas Lemann, The New York Review of Books, "Can Journalism Be Saved?," 11 Feb. 2020 Angermayer, whose unlined face and boyish good looks belie his 40 years, is fervent about guarding the sanctity of his body and his brain. — Meghana Keshavan, Scientific American, "The Psychedelics Evangelist: A German Financier Wants to Turn Magic Mushrooms into Modern Medicine," 9 July 2019 The March for Life is a major national event that recognizes the sanctity of human life and how precious each child is. — Tawsif Anam, Washington Examiner, "I applaud President Trump's decision to speak at March for Life," 29 Jan. 2020 To them, ditching booze was a way to protect the sanctity of the saintly Protestant home. — Kim Kelly, Teen Vogue, "Prohibition Was America’s First War on Drugs," 17 Jan. 2020 No one should particularly care about the sanctity of the Democratic primary process, which is messy, corrupt, and often nonsensical. — Libby Watson, The New Republic, "The Billionaire Grifter’s Threat to Democracy," 13 Jan. 2020 In a moment, a ridiculous plot point suddenly feels urgent; Diane ends up giving her own impassioned speech about the sanctity of the right to vote. — Ew Staff, EW.com, "The 30 best TV episodes of 2019," 12 Dec. 2019 In the past, Louis C.K. has questioned the value of life, mocking its sanctity and downplaying its importance, but this grim image goes just as far in undercutting the solemnity of death. — Jason Zinoman, New York Times, "Louis C.K. Doubles Down on the Value of Saying the Wrong Thing," 4 Nov. 2019

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

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Sancti Spíritus

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Last Updated

18 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Sanctity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctity. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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