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 Spence dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and freedom of ordinary people, colleague Joseph H. Low IV said in a statement. Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025 Swift dedicated a special acoustic medley to Martin at a Stockholm Eras Tour show. Bryan West, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025 The bandshell, named the Emil Blatz Temple of Music, was dedicated in August 1938, with a concert featuring popular radio singer Jessica Dragonette. Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025 The fight to win the county’s healthcare contract has gotten messy enough that commissioners are holding a special meeting Wednesday dedicated solely to picking a winner. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dedicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate
Verb
  • Alves devoted part of that speech to the wonders of this country by providing the blessings of freedom and opportunity to people like him.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
  • This year, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence stood up the Open-Source Intelligence Subcommittee, the first ever congressional body devoted specifically to an intelligence discipline.
    Ann Wagner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Indiana’s efforts to save the squirrel The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is partnering with Purdue Fort Wayne and others to restore Franklin’s ground squirrel populations, said DNR’s Wildlife Research Supervisor Theresa Bordenkecher.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025
  • To save, enter the phone number associated with the account before fueling.
    Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dedicate. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dedicate

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