sanctify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
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to purify or free from sin.
Sanctify your hearts.
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to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding.
to sanctify a vow.
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to entitle to reverence or respect.
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to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.
verb
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to make holy
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to free from sin; purify
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to sanction (an action or practice) as religiously binding
to sanctify a marriage
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to declare or render (something) productive of or conductive to holiness, blessing, or grace
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obsolete to authorize to be revered
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sanctify
1350–1400; < Late Latin sānctificāre ( see Sanctus, -ify); replacing Middle English seintefien < Old French saintifier < Latin, as above
Explanation
To sanctify something is to make it pure or holy. You might see a priest sanctify a church in your neighborhood — that means it’s holy. Sanctify often has a religious connotation. If you get married, you might have a religious ceremony to sanctify your union. That means the marriage is viewed as legitimate according to your religion. Sanctify can also mean that something is made free from sin, like when the Pope sanctifies a person. Or you can use it for anything that’s made right or acceptable. Your mom’s support may sanctify the odd outfit you wore to the family reunion. Thanks, Mom!
Vocabulary lists containing sanctify
Power Suffix: -fy
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"Common Sense," Vocabulary from the pamphlet
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Weigel is the author, most recently, of “To Sanctify the World: The Vital Legacy of Vatican II.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025
Sanctify and purify the hearts so that the effulgence of Thy love may shine therein.
From The Promulgation of Universal Peace by `Abdu'l-Bahá
Sanctify us, Lord, and bless; Breathe thy spirit, give thy peace; Thou thyself within us move; Make our feast a feast of love!
From Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion by Various
The Lord commands Moses and Israel to "Sanctify to him every male that openeth the womb, both of man and beast," from the time of the death of the first-born of the Egyptians.
From Fables of Infidelity and Facts of Faith Being an Examination of the Evidences of Infidelity by Patterson, Robert
Sanctify me from every worldly station in this primal life and purify me from all else save Thee, O Thou Great Giver!
From Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas by `Abdu'l-Bahá
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
