These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sublime.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At first glance, the question of whether sublime and sublimate are related might seem like an easy one to answer, as they appear to come from the same source. However, the most common senses in which each of these words is used today are dissimilar enough to give pause. The two words are indeed related, and in some senses are in fact synonymous. Both share the meaning “to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form,” although this is not widely used except among chemists. Sublime was first used as a verb with the above meaning, and after a century or two of such use took on the adjectival role in which it is often found today (“the concert was a sublime experience”). Sublimate has had several meanings as a verb (including “to elevate to a place of honor” and “to give a more elevated character to”) before coming to its common meaning today, which is “to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from its unacceptable form to one that is considered more socially or culturally acceptable.”
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
See Words from the same yearHe composed some of the most sublime symphonies in existence.
the sublime beauty of the canyon
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sublime.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use: circa 1567
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yearbig, chivalrous, elevated, gallant, great, greathearted, high, high-minded, lofty, lordly, magnanimous, noble;
sordid, squalid, vile, wretched;
abominable, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hateful, offensive, repulsive, ugly, vicious;
dastardly, dirty, lousy, sorry;
little, mean, narrow, small-minded;
: very beautiful or good : causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder
: complete or extreme
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sublime Spanish Central: Translation of sublime Nglish: Translation of sublime for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sublime for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sublime
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