Synonyms

sanctify

American

[sangk-tuh-fahy] / ˈsæŋk təˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

Synonyms:

exalt, enshrine, anoint, hallow, bless
to purify or free from sin.

Sanctify your hearts.
to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding.

to sanctify a vow.
to entitle to reverence or respect.
to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

sanctify British

/ ˈsæŋktɪˌfaɪ /

verb

to make holy
to free from sin; purify
to sanction (an action or practice) as religiously binding

to sanctify a marriage
to declare or render (something) productive of or conductive to holiness, blessing, or grace
obsolete to authorize to be revered

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of sanctify

1350–1400; < Late Latin sānctificāre ( see Sanctus, -ify); replacing Middle English seintefien < Old French saintifier < Latin, as above

Explanation

To sanctify something is to make it pure or holy. You might see a priest sanctify a church in your neighborhood — that means it’s holy. Sanctify often has a religious connotation. If you get married, you might have a religious ceremony to sanctify your union. That means the marriage is viewed as legitimate according to your religion. Sanctify can also mean that something is made free from sin, like when the Pope sanctifies a person. Or you can use it for anything that’s made right or acceptable. Your mom’s support may sanctify the odd outfit you wore to the family reunion. Thanks, Mom!

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Vocabulary lists containing sanctify

Power Suffix: -fy

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Weigel is the author, most recently, of “To Sanctify the World: The Vital Legacy of Vatican II.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Sanctify thine heart, that thou mayest remember Me; and purge thine ear, that thou mayest hearken unto My words.

From Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh by Bahá'u'lláh

Sanctify the soul and dilate the breast by the promise your Lord gave you, that, verily, He confirms you through the hosts of inspiration.

From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá

Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children: ... let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

From The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by White, Ellen Gould Harmon

But we must notice very specially how our Saviour says, Sanctify them, not in the word, but in the truth.

From Holy in Christ Thoughts on the Calling of God's Children to be Holy as He is Holy by Murray, Andrew

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023