sanctify

[ sangk-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, sanc·ti·fied, sanc·ti·fy·ing.

1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

   Synonyms: exalt, enshrine, anoint, hallow, bless

2. to purify or free from sin:

   Sanctify your hearts.

3. to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding:

   to sanctify a vow.

4. to entitle to reverence or respect.
5. to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

sanctify

/ ˈsæŋktɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make holy
2. to free from sin; purify
3. to sanction (an action or practice) as religiously binding

   to sanctify a marriage

4. to declare or render (something) productive of or conductive to holiness, blessing, or grace
5. obsolete.
   to authorize to be revered

Derived Forms

• ˈsanctiˌfiable, adjective
• ˈsanctiˌfier, noun
• ˌsanctifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• sancti·fia·ble adjective
• sancti·fia·ble·ness noun
• sancti·fia·bly adverb
• sancti·fication noun
• sancti·fier noun
• sancti·fying·ly adverb
• nonsanc·ti·fi·cation noun
• pre·sancti·fy verb (used with object) presanctified presanctifying
• self-sancti·fi·cation noun
• un·sancti·fying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctify¹

1350–1400; < Late Latin sānctificāre ( Sanctus, -ify ); replacing Middle English seintefien < Old French saintifier < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctify¹

C14: from Late Latin sanctificāre, from Latin sanctus holy + facere to make

Example Sentences

If local priests had any reservations about the bloodlust they had sanctified, higher authorities provided guidance.

From Time

The Wall Street Journal recently sanctified Rush Limbaugh as “patient zero” of today’s cancel culture, which suggests just how successfully conservative voices have been muzzled by this fantastical plague of liberal harpies.

From Washington Post

Did his sudden, violent death erase him as a man and sanctify him in one savage blow?

From The Daily Beast

I am due to attend at twelve-forty-five in the state temple, where we sanctify some new idol.

From Project Gutenberg

Receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and preserve thy own portion, and sanctify it.

From Project Gutenberg

Sixthly, to remind us of the binding of Isaac, who willingly offered himself for immolation, in order to sanctify the Holy Name.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a person's duty to sanctify himself, bodily and spiritually, for the approach of this great day.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a religious ceremony, intended to signalize and sanctify their victory.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consecrate
• hallow