exalt

[ig-zawlt]

verb (used with object)

1. to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, etc.; elevate.

   He was exalted to the position of president.

   Synonyms: ennoble, raise, dignify, promote
   Antonyms: humble

2. to praise; extol.

   to exalt someone to the skies.

   Synonyms: glorify
   Antonyms: depreciate

3. to stimulate, as the imagination.

   The lyrics of Shakespeare exalted the audience.

4. to intensify, as a color.

   complementary colors exalt each other.

5. Obsolete.,  to elate, as with pride or joy.

exalt

/ ɪɡˈzɔːlt /

verb

1. to raise or elevate in rank, position, dignity, etc

2. to praise highly; glorify; extol

3. to stimulate the mind or imagination of; excite

4. to increase the intensity of (a colour, etc)

5. to fill with joy or delight; elate

6. obsolete,  to lift up physically

Usage

Exalt is sometimes wrongly used where exult is meant: he was exulting (not exalting ) in his win earlier that day

Other Word Forms

• exalter noun
• self-exalting adjective
• superexalt verb (used with object)
• unexalting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exalt¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English exalten, from Latin exaltāre “to lift up,” from ex- ex- ¹ + alt(us) “high” + -āre, infinitive verb ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of exalt¹

C15: from Latin exaltāre to raise, from altus high

Synonym Study

See elevate.

Example Sentences

Matthew 23: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

From Los Angeles Times

Orange County exalts the suburb, something that L.A. has by choice and chance obliterated.

From Los Angeles Times

At the more exalted level of national politics, cultural stagnation is a dive into tackiness and kitsch.

From Salon

The contretemps here echoes spats in the United States about monuments glorifying Confederate generals: Critics decry the displays as exalting traitors and white supremacists, while others argue that the statues just reflect history.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a ferocious performance and an exalted one of gripping intensity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dignify 
• extol 
• glorify 
• laud 
• magnify 
• revere