exalt

American  

[ig-zawlt] / ɪgˈzɔlt /

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.

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exalt British  

/ 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

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Usage

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

Related Words

See elevate.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of exalt

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

Explanation

You might like your manager, but if you exalt her, it means you really put her on a pedestal and treat her like royalty. To exalt is to hold or raise someone up to a high position or status. It doesn't have to mean literally putting that person into a high position, but instead treating them almost like nobility. Overly doting parents exalt their infant to the point where they praise him every time he wets his diaper and call the neighbors over every time he coos.

Example Sentences

“The Fall Guy” may exalt anonymous film workers, but it’s lifted by the charisma and chemistry of its two leading stars.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2024

She was taken at her prime, which leaves space for others to continue to exalt her cultural impact and memorialize her through art and merchandise, usually with reverence and loving intentions.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2024

Francis “certainly didn’t want to exalt imperialistic logic or government personalities, who were cited to indicate certain historic periods of reference,” Bruni said in a statement.

From Washington Times • Aug. 29, 2023

She could exalt a good hot dog as much as a sublime black truffle.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2023

Our literature, our films, our drama, our folklore all exalt it.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

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