Synonyms of sanctify

sanctify

verb

ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• purge
• purify
• heal
• cleanse
• restore
• improve
• amend
• refine
• regenerate
• elevate
• vindicate
• ennoble
• absolve
• acquit
• exonerate
• uplift
• clear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• degrade
• corrupt
• defile
• demean
• debase
• stain
• pervert
• poison
• warp
• prostitute
• profane
• debauch
• deprave
• tarnish
• sully

2

as in to bless

to make holy through prayers or ritual

sanctify the bread for Communion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bless
• consecrate
• dedicate
• hallow
• sacralize
• purify
• spiritualize
• devote
• cleanse
• baptize
• exorcise
• canonize
• chasten
• expurgate
• lustrate
• commit
• reconsecrate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• desecrate
• defile
• soil
• profane
• violate
• pollute
• dirty
• desanctify
• taint
• desacralize
• deconsecrate
• punish
• blaspheme
• foul
• condemn
• curse
• cuss
• cast out
• damn
• execrate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sanctify

There was no contradiction for these women in using sacred imagery to dramatize erotic love, or Scripture to sanctify desire. — Chandler Fritz, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2026

That was until Pope Leo inadvertently sanctified them in 2026. — Paul Keane, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026

For King, defending a people did not mean sanctifying a state. — Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

An overexposed photo shows Miralba from the torso up, looking into a white sky, with a ray of light almost sanctifying her face. — Camila Osorio, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026