spiritualize

[ spir-i-choo-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, spir·it·u·al·ized, spir·it·u·al·iz·ing.

1. to make spiritual.
2. to invest with a spiritual meaning.

spiritualize

/ ˈspɪrɪtjʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to make spiritual or infuse with spiritual content

Derived Forms

• ˌspiritualiˈzation, noun
• ˈspiritualˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• spirit·u·al·i·zation noun
• spiri·tu·al·izer noun
• de·spirit·u·al·i·zation noun
• de·spirit·u·al·ize verb (used with object) despiritualized despiritualizing
• re·spirit·u·al·ize verb (used with object) respiritualized respiritualizing
• un·spiri·tu·al·ized adjective
• un·spiri·tu·al·izing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiritualize¹

First recorded in 1625–35; spiritual + -ize

Example Sentences

He thinks it is a mistake to spiritualize a gun — an inanimate object — and likens his Kimber Micro 9 handgun to the automated external defibrillator that hangs on the church wall.

From FiveThirtyEight

Taken literally and read with a pure heart, it is eminently fitted to spiritualize the family relations.

From Project Gutenberg

It requires a vast deal of refinement to spiritualize their large physical endowments.

From Project Gutenberg

Illness and solitude had done much to exalt and spiritualize Angus Hamleigh's mind.

From Project Gutenberg

And when a man and a woman reach an altitude where they spiritualize their love, they are in no danger of wearing it out.

From Project Gutenberg

Poetry and philosophy were employed by him only to glorify and spiritualize the inheritance of Israel.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquaint
• enlighten
• ennoble
• humanize
• idealize
• refine
• sophisticate
• tame