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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

First recorded in 1760–70; from Late Latin stultificāre, equivalent to Latin stult(us) “stupid” + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM stultify

Words nearby stultify

stuffy, Stuka, stukkend, stull, St. Ulmo's fire, stultify, stum, stumble, stumble across, stumblebum, stumbling block
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to stultify

mock, cripple, hinder, negate, prevent, smother, stifle, suffocate, impair, inhibit, nullify, make a fool of, ridiculous

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, noun

Word Origin for stultify

C18: from Latin stultus stupid + facere to make
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
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