exalt

[ ig-zawlt ]

See synonyms for exalt on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, etc.; elevate: He was exalted to the position of president.
to praise; extol: to exalt someone to the skies.

to stimulate, as the imagination: The lyrics of Shakespeare exalted the audience.
to intensify, as a color: complementary colors exalt each other.
Obsolete. to elate, as with pride or joy.

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

synonym study For exalt

1. See elevate.

Other words for exalt

1	promote, dignify, raise, ennoble
2	glorify

See synonyms for exalt on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for exalt

1	humble
2	depreciate

See antonyms for exalt on Thesaurus.com

Other words from exalt

ex·alt·er, noun
self-ex·alt·ing, adjective
su·per·ex·alt, verb (used with object)
un·ex·alt·ing, adjective

Words that may be confused with exalt

exalt , exult

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exalt in a sentence

Even moreso, this exalts the work of caring for helpless JP.
Dealing with Awful Loss | Justin Green | February 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
He always takes the higher ground, and with all his ceremony ever exalts inward purity above all external appearances.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John Lord
The latter wished to deify Alexander; but Timaeus exalts Timoleon above the most venerable gods.
The Histories of Polybius, Vol. II (of 2) | Polybius
All horrent the cobra exalts his hooded head, and the spanning jaws fly open.
The Fiend's Delight | Dod Grile
Too well I know that the delicious poison which spreads through my frame exalts, entrances, but to destroy.
Leonora | Maria Edgeworth

He only exalts the new prince, who arises to restore order and security in a troubled State.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind | Herbert George Wells

British Dictionary definitions for exalt

exalt

/ (ɪɡˈzɔːlt) /

verb(tr)

to raise or elevate in rank, position, dignity, etc
to praise highly; glorify; extol

to stimulate the mind or imagination of; excite
to increase the intensity of (a colour, etc)
to fill with joy or delight; elate
obsolete to lift up physically

Origin of exalt

C15: from Latin exaltāre to raise, from altus high

usage For exalt

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

Derived forms of exalt

exalter, noun

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

Browse