devote

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb devote contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devote are consecrate, dedicate, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

When is it sensible to use consecrate instead of devote?

The words consecrate and devote are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When could dedicate be used to replace devote?

While in some cases nearly identical to devote, dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

When would hallow be a good substitute for devote?

Although the words hallow and devote have much in common, 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 devote Chan said sanctuary jurisdictions can lean on that case law, which holds that states and localities have a right, under the 10th Amendment, to choose not to devote their resources toward assisting with federal immigration enforcement. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025 To succeed in a struggling industry, performing-arts administrators devote extra personal time to cultivating relationships that could be beneficial to their organizations, whether that’s schmoozing donors to secure contributions or showing up at events to be an active part of the community. Oliver Sava, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 And during Francis’s papacy, the Vatican itself made strident efforts to cross geopolitical divides, devoting particular diplomatic attention to China. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2025 Harvard’s lawyers devote an entire section of the university’s lawsuit to enumerating the real-world impacts of the sudden halt of federal funding. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devote
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devote
Verb
  • Endrick also dedicated his two goals in extra time against Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey in January to the Germany international.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Some fosters dedicate a spare bedroom to fostering, while others use a bathroom or even a pet tent.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On a late April afternoon in the East Village—arguably the first real day of spring in New York City—painters stood outside Bar Bianchi, applying their final coats.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 2 May 2025
  • Here's how to use and apply an ammonia and baking soda solution to remove tub rings: Combine half a bucket of water with 1/4 cup of ammonia and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Despite that, a growing number of companies do so voluntarily because the information gives them a leg up in the business world.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In 2017 Francis gave a copy of his 2015 climate encyclical to President Trump, who visited him at the Vatican during his first term.
    Jeff Brady, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But McMillan was the Panthers’ headliner and sent a clear message that the organization is committed to helping its quarterback.
    Dane Brugler, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The county had previously committed more than $760,000 to the project so the new allotment increased its total contribution to about $6 million.
    Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump, Biden allies divided over GDP report One crisis away from homelessness While discretionary spending is somewhat determined by priorities, income is the key factor when calculating what and where to spend.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • At Alpha School, students spend just two hours a day in class, guided by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tutor.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Devote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devote. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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