spiritualize

1 of 2

verb

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ize ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌlīz 

-i-chə-ˌlīz, 

-ich-wə-ˌlīz

spiritualized; spiritualizing

transitive verb

1

: to make spiritual

especially : to purify from the corrupting influences of the world

2

: to give a spiritual meaning to or understand in a spiritual sense

spiritualization

ˌspir-i-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-i-chə-lə-, 

-ich-wə-lə-

noun

spiritualization

2 of 2

noun

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​iza·​tion ˌspirə̇ch(ə)wələ̇ˈzāshən 

-chələ̇-, 

-ˌlīˈz- sometimes -rēch-

plural -s

: the action of spiritualizing or the state of being spiritualized

Examples of spiritualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

None of this is intended to take away from the ambivalent and sometimes plainly harmful effects of attempts to spiritualize the pandemic. — Benjamin Kirby, Quartz Africa, 1 May 2020

Thought and speech — thought’s public projection — are both combined and spiritualized. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, 22 June 2019

The biblical Song of Solomon is a key scripture for the Zohar, and its lush gardens of desire are spiritualized into realms of sacred love, but without losing anything of their erotic passion. — Arthur Green, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from (assumed) New Latin spiritualization-, spiritualizatio, from (assumed) New Latin spiritualizatus (past participle of spiritualizare) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spiritualize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize