stultify

[ stuhl-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing.

1. to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, especially by degrading or frustrating means:

   Must we stultify the progress of these reforms with yet more red tape?

   Synonyms: thwart, negate, impede, frustrate, dull, deaden, benumb

2. Law. to allege or prove (oneself or another person) to be of unsound mind.
3. Older Use. to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous.

verb (used without object)

, stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing.

1. to become ineffectual or impaired, especially through frustrating, stifling, or deadening conditions:

   Without an environment of encouragement and creativity, the mind can stultify.

stultify

/ ˈstʌltɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make useless, futile, or ineffectual, esp by routine
2. to cause to appear absurd or inconsistent
3. to prove (someone) to be of unsound mind and thus not legally responsible

Derived Forms

• ˈstultiˌfier, noun
• ˌstultifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• stul·ti·fi·ca·tion [stuhl-t, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• stul·ti·fi·er noun
• stul·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
• non·stul·ti·fi·ca·tion noun
• un·stul·ti·fied adjective
• un·stul·ti·fy·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stultify¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from Late Latin stultificāre, equivalent to Latin stult(us) “stupid” + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of stultify¹

C18: from Latin stultus stupid + facere to make

Example Sentences

It occurred to him that modern education existed largely to stultify independent thought.

From Project Gutenberg

"To thank men like Cowan, who did not desire to enfranchise woman any more than the negro, was to stultify ourselves," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter has allowed its prejudices and its feelings to obliterate or to stultify its reason.

From Project Gutenberg

Link-torches, unless of the best pitch-pine (Pinus resinosa), do not burn with sufficient brightness to stultify the pigeons.

From Project Gutenberg

As she took a step towards the bridge-tables, Jack felt that he was losing her; yet he would only stultify himself by an apology.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• benumb
• deaden
• dull