spiritualize

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

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

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1