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 But the governor compromised and supported several efforts to work around the caps in recent years, including dedicating $712 million outside of the formal budget system to expand affordable childcare. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 Some Gen-Zers and Millennials may have grown up watching their parents and other relatives dedicate much of their lives to their careers, only to be laid off. — Jalie Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 This gutsy, solitary woman has dedicated her life to her career. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Not dedicating, not prioritizing, not committing to funding the mental health services that are necessary under state law and the federal constitution is not an adequate excuse. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dedicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate
Verb
  • After two hundred pages of diagnosing the Democrats’ problems, Jentleson devotes a single page to this solution, leaving many questions unanswered.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
  • And Arizona State has enough alternatives that KU cannot devote its entire plan to stopping him.
    — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Retiree Walter Rasor is always looking for a way to save, and a property-tax cut on his condo sounds appealing at first glance.
    — Steve Maugeri, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • But when Emma never shows up to their meeting, Pao and Dante will have to go on an epic quest— filled with awkward moments, sarcasm, and somewhat reluctant friendships—to save their best friend.
    — Kavya Dhillon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dedicate. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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