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 Clearly feeling all the feels this week, the conservationist dipped further into the family photo album on show day, sharing more pics from childhood through to today while dedicating that night’s dance to his mom. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025 On Dedication Night, each star dedicated a dance. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Smith dedicated her life to nursing during a 50-year career, the last 20 with Reach Air Medical Services in Redding. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Earle ended the show by dedicating her gorgeous contemporary to her younger sister Izabel. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dedicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate
Verb
  • Most of these patients devoted hours every day to managing their condition.
    Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Just because the administration has no legal authority to designate a domestic terrorist organization, Aceves said that does not mean the administration won’t devote a great amount of resources toward it.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Just this summer, in June, the board approved moving seventh- and eighth-grade students from yellow school buses to the Metro in a move that saves CPS almost $3 million per year.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • That is, aside from the hijinks of Trump trying to kill his unborn baby to save his nights at Mar-a-Lago.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dedicate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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