immolate

[im-uh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

immolated, immolating 

1. to sacrifice.

2. to kill as a sacrificial victim, as by fire; offer in sacrifice.

3. to destroy by fire.

immolate

/ ˈɪməʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to kill or offer as a sacrifice, esp by fire

2. literary,  to sacrifice (something highly valued)

Other Word Forms

• immolator noun
• unimmolated adjective
• immolation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immolate¹

1540–50; < Latin immolātus, past participle of immolāre to sprinkle with holy meal prior to sacrificing, sacrifice, equivalent to im- im- ¹ + mol ( a ) sacrificial barley cake, literally, millstone ( mill ¹ ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of immolate¹

C16: from Latin immolāre to sprinkle an offering with sacrificial meal, sacrifice, from _im- (in) + mola spelt grain; see _mill ¹

Example Sentences

Before swaths of the city immolated, the Democratic mayor of an overwhelmingly Democratic city was widely expected to sail into a second term with no serious opponents in the 2026 election.

From Los Angeles Times

She was spicy without immolating her targets, respectful without feeling phony or fawning.

From Salon

Friends of Wynn Bruce, who immolated on the steps of the U.S.

From Salon

The event ended with a paean by Musk and DeSantis to cryptocurrency, which is tantamount to enticing innocent small investors into immolating their nest eggs in a scam.

From Los Angeles Times

She could not say whose bodies were being immolated, and the area around the dump had been cordoned off by Ukrainian security earlier in the week.

From New York Times