stultify
[ stuhl-tuh-fahy ]
/ ˈstʌl təˌfaɪ /
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verb (used with object), stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing.
to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, especially by degrading or frustrating means: Must we stultify the progress of these reforms with yet more red tape?
Law. to allege or prove (oneself or another person) to be of unsound mind.
Older Use. to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous.
verb (used without object), stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing.
to become ineffectual or impaired, especially through frustrating, stifling, or deadening conditions: Without an environment of encouragement and creativity, the mind can stultify.
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Origin of stultify
OTHER WORDS FROM stultify
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stultify in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for stultify
stultify
/ (ˈstʌltɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
to make useless, futile, or ineffectual, esp by routine
to cause to appear absurd or inconsistent
to prove (someone) to be of unsound mind and thus not legally responsible
Derived forms of stultify
stultification, nounstultifier, nounWord Origin for stultify
C18: from Latin stultus stupid + facere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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