sublime

1 of 2

verb

sub·​lime sə-ˈblīm 

sublimed; subliming

transitive verb

1

: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form

2

[French sublimer, from Latin sublimare]

a(1)

: to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor

(2)

: to render finer (as in purity or excellence)

b

: to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth

intransitive verb

: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state

sublimable

sə-ˈblī-mə-bəl 

adjective

sublimer noun

sublime

2 of 2

adjective

sub·​lime sə-ˈblīm 

sublimer; sublimest

1

a

: lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner

b

: of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth

c

: tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence

2

a

archaic : high in place

b

obsolete : lofty of mien : haughty

c

capitalized : supreme

—used in a style of address

d

: complete, utter

sublime ignorance

sublimely adverb

sublimeness noun

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Sublime vs. Sublimate

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.”

Synonyms

Adjective

• amazing
• astonishing
• astounding
• awesome
• awful
• eye-opening
• fabulous
• marvelous
• marvellous
• miraculous
• portentous
• prodigious
• staggering
• stunning
• stupendous
• surprising
• wonderful
• wondrous

Choose the Right Synonym for sublime

splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.

splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

Examples of sublime in a Sentence

Verb

… models indicate that frost in most of the southern hemisphere is currently subliming, thinning the surface deposits. —William B. McKinnon et al., Encyclopedia Of The Solar System, 1999

The cursory remarks of the large-minded stranger, of whom he knew absolutely nothing beyond a commonplace name, were sublimed by his death, and influenced Clare more than all the reasoned ethics of the philosophers. —Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, 1891

Adjective

New Orleans is not just a list of attractions or restaurants or ceremonies, no matter how sublime and subtle. New Orleans is the interaction among all those things, and countless more. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005

Judging by the satisfied look that settles on both men's faces, the meal was sublime. —Kathleen Brennan, Saveur, November 2004

Even when he is paying homage to her sublime beauty, he cannot resist inserting himself as the man responsible for unleashing that beauty's potency. —Zoë Heller, New Republic, 21 May 2001

He composed some of the most sublime symphonies in existence.

the sublime beauty of the canyon

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Imprinted in the light of these wisps of subliming vapor are the fingerprints of a comet’s chemical composition. —Quanta Magazine, 29 Jan. 2020

Next, the ice will sublime out of them—that’s when water goes straight from ice to gas without turning to liquid first, remember? —Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 8 Nov. 2018

While the TEB seemed like an awesome idea on paper, most of its advantages sublimed under scrutiny. —Sebastian Anthony, Ars Technica, 5 July 2017

Adjective

And the love story between two blue-collar workers is sublime. —Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023

The rest of French Polynesia, a sublime blue territory of 118 islands, is continuing its dedication to sustainability over mass tourism. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023

But Tamales Fer loyalists know that, year-round, at least one of the giant metal steamers will be filled with sublime tamal de rajas. —Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023

Each performer takes on an almost ceremonial duty—one that tracks back to Dionysus—to carry the audience past discomfort and into something sublime. —Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023

Produced by longtime collaborator Rick Rubin, the album leans deeper into the funk and sublime weirdness that made the Chili Peppers one of the biggest bands of their era. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2023

This balance — great and horrific, sublime and abhorrent — shows Ojeda is a superb novelist who understands the complexity of the human condition. —Gabino Iglesias, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2023

This final season is in some sense about what the show’s sometimes frustrating, sometimes sublime structural choice—to be a show about a community, not a clique within it—really means. —Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2023

Next came a sublime sunset dip off the almost two-mile sandy beach at Son Bou. —Rebecca Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis

Adjective

Latin sublimis, literally, high, elevated

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

circa 1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sublime

• the sublime
• from the sublime to the ridiculous

• the sublime
• from the sublime to the ridiculous

Kids Definition

sublime

1 of 2 verb

sub·​lime sə-ˈblīm 

sublimed; subliming

: to change or cause to change from a solid to a gaseous form and sometimes back to solid form without passing through a liquid form

sublime

2 of 2 adjective

sublimer; sublimest

1

: grand or noble in thought, expression, or manner

sublime truths

2

: having an impressive quality that inspires awe

sublime beauty

sublimely adverb

sublimeness noun

Medical Definition

sublime

verb

sub·​lime sə-ˈblīm 

sublimed; subliming

transitive verb

: to cause to pass from the solid to the vapor state by heating and to condense back to solid form

intransitive verb

: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state