consecrate

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb consecrate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of consecrate are dedicate, devote, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When can dedicate be used instead of consecrate?

While the synonyms dedicate and consecrate are close in meaning, dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

When would devote be a good substitute for consecrate?

The meanings of devote and consecrate largely overlap; however, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

When is it sensible to use hallow instead of consecrate?

In some situations, the words hallow and consecrate are roughly equivalent. However, hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consecrate
Adjective
Lana Del Rey doesn’t toy with signs—of American glamour and its decay, of female melancholia and racial desire—so much as consecrate them. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2023
Verb
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. Kary Love, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Griswold—whose father, once the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, consecrated the denomination’s first openly gay bishop—treats the pastors generously, though gingerly, constructing from their lowest moments an affecting study of sacred life in sacrilegious times. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for consecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consecrate
Adjective
  • Anyone in our era, that was a holy grail: to get to play college basketball.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
  • His many attempts to free himself from the holy seal placed upon the Devils becomes a running gag involving various unpleasant bodily functions.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Several contestants dedicated songs to their children or partners, adding to the emotional weight of the episode.
    Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • By cutting $260 million, ARPA-E can dedicate its resources to funding a narrower set of high-risk, high-reward programs that could make a significant contribution to America’s energy goals.
    Jack Spencer, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that Easter morning.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Their prayers were answered and they were blessed with a boy child, or in the case of Rachel with two sons.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • In today’s America, where so much energy is spent dividing us, Forever reminds us what actually holds us together: love, care, and the sacred duty of raising the next generation.
    Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The woman of the house lights the Shabbat candles, ushering in the sacred day.
    Mark Gerson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Arantxa devotes half her verse to saying her name, Dovima looks bored, Vulcano is an awkward, lumbering giant, and everyone looks like they’re dressed for a different universe.
    Barry Levitt, Vulture, 12 May 2025
  • Some 41 years later in 2024 and have devoted herself to a successful political career, adult Marlene strives to make meaningful societal change.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Until her late 20s, Isabella had never even considered a consecrated life.
    Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 2025
  • However, the oil miraculously burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found.
    Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Fire department personnel were already there, trying to save Davis with CPR.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consecrate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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