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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Connecticut should consider establishing an independent Inspector General dedicated specifically to cross-agency public benefits oversight. Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026 For the last two years, the Dodgers dedicated a game to vtubers — virtual streamers played by humans behind the scenes — in an effort to tap into other fandoms and collectors and create hype. Mia Sato, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026 Taylor Morrison, the developer of Creekview Ranch, designed the project to avoid the most sensitive areas and requested that the 27 acres along Dry Creek be dedicated for conservation. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026 Since 1995, the DeVos family has honored a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing other’s lives. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dedicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate
Verb
  • Van Lent had devoted his career to the Florida Everglades, becoming its foremost hydrologist, mapping the flow of water and studying how that affected the entire system.
    Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Trump only devoted a few paragraphs of his February 25 State of the Union address to Iran.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Join MyRecipes—your personal home for recipes—to easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Michael Collodi saved five shots in his third start for Dallas (1-1-1) this season after making nine last year as a rookie.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dedicate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster