Definition of dedicatenext
as in to devote
to keep or intend for a special purpose a young attorney who has decided to dedicate her career to helping the poor receive justice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb dedicate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dedicate are consecrate, devote, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

Where would consecrate be a reasonable alternative to dedicate?

The synonyms consecrate and dedicate are sometimes interchangeable, but consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When might devote be a better fit than dedicate?

Although the words devote and dedicate have much in common, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

In what contexts can hallow take the place of dedicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to dedicate, 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 dedicate Catherine, who chose to dedicate her life to God, was executed for refusing to marry the Roman Emperor Maxentius. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Producers who dedicated much of their careers to Love Productions, the respected company wholly acquired by Sky in 2020. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026 There are murals dedicated in her honor and the Empire State Building lit up in pink in remembrance of Parton. The Npr Network, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026 Other than Chevron, the only US oil major that has maintained a constant presence in Venezuela throughout the past several decades, no American energy companies have been willing to dedicate resources there. David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dedicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate
Verb
  • Her reporting reveals stunning details about the high-level government officials who are devoting their time and influence to enable what is, essentially, a portfolio of home-renovation and vanity projects.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Gloria Steinem, a trailblazing journalist and activist who devoted her life to fighting for women's rights, died on Wednesday.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • British driver Ollie Millroy thanked rival Loek Hartog for saving his life after the Dutch racer stopped and pulled him from a burning Ferrari during a China GT Championship race in Shanghai on Saturday.
    Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
  • This was early November, three weeks before the famous formation change (to a 5-3-2) at Manchester City in their next away fixture which saved Leeds’ season.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dedicate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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