1
as in to purge
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
received the sacrament of penance, whereby they were sanctified and restored to divine grace
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2
as in to bless
to make holy through prayers or ritual
sanctify the bread for Communion
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Recent Examples of sanctify
In Kahane’s theology, Jewish weakness was the sacrilege, and Jewish strength sanctified God.
—
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
G‑d’s purpose in creating the world was that all of creation be sanctified, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality.
—Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
His magnetic, restrained performance gives flesh to this mythical character, without ever sanctifying him.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 May 2025
In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife.
—Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctify
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
G‑d’s purpose in creating the world was that all of creation be sanctified, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality.
—Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
His magnetic, restrained performance gives flesh to this mythical character, without ever sanctifying him.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 May 2025
In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife.
—Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctify
Verb
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Guy will not see the Verdun purged of unexploded ordnance in his lifetime.—
Michael Jerome Plunkett
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
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Moving is the perfect excuse to purge.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If instead the corporation digs in, further empowering the unwitting wreckers and saboteurs — well, bless their hearts.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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God bless, and God save the wrist.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Astronauts get most of their water from an advanced water recycling system that collects and purifies wastewater.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
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The Dyson Zone over-ear headphones came out in 2023 and coupled stylish over-ear sound with an air-purifying mask, perfect for the post-Covid public.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some of these caves have fireplaces, and some were consecrated and used as churches, known as rupestre.—
Aileen Weintraub,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 July 2025
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And so, next door to the photo booth where Nic and Cierra consecrated their mutual vibe, cowgirl style, Hannah climbs onto Pepe’s muscular thighs and gets a little cowgirl make-out of her own.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctify. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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