consecrate

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb consecrate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of consecrate are dedicate, devote, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When can dedicate be used instead of consecrate?

While the synonyms dedicate and consecrate are close in meaning, dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

When would devote be a good substitute for consecrate?

The meanings of devote and consecrate largely overlap; however, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

When is it sensible to use hallow instead of consecrate?

In some situations, the words hallow and consecrate are roughly equivalent. However, hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consecrate
Adjective
Lana Del Rey doesn’t toy with signs—of American glamour and its decay, of female melancholia and racial desire—so much as consecrate them. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2023
Verb
Bergoglio was consecrated into the priesthood as a Jesuit, a religious order explicitly averse to moving up within the ranks of the church hierarchy. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 The creators of this medieval masterpiece have been lost to time, but it’s believed to have been commissioned by Odo, bishop of Bayeux and William’s half-brother, to decorate the nave of the new cathedral of Notre-Dame of Bayeux, which was consecrated in 1077. Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consecrate
Adjective
  • Hot sleepers need the holy trinity of queen-sized cooling pillows, a cooling duvet cover, and this cooling throw blanket with chilly Q-max technology.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2025
  • Morning briefings feature beautifully designed PDFs on sales techniques and boosting conversion rates—the holy grail of sales training.
    Julien Fortuit, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Whitmer, for her part, wants the chance to dedicate more resources for CVI.
    Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
  • Around the world, many airports already have dedicated screening lanes for families, including Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, Istanbul Airport (IST), and Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • After all manner of hoop-jumping, though, the government finally blessed the alliance between Paramount Global and Skydance on July 23, and — barring another unexpected twist — the two will become one exactly one week from today (August 7).
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 31 July 2025
  • So we’re really blessed that our partners see the vision.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Many locals consider the primates to be sacred guardians of the spiritual site, which dates back to around the 10th or 11th century, according to the WSJ.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
  • Alkire is the third chairperson to lead the tribe's ongoing and high-profile fight against the Enbridge Dakota Access Pipeline, citing threats to sacred land and water.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Jane comes from a background of poverty and has stayed in their hometown for the past 20 years, devoting herself to caregiving.
    Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
  • With this work, the tenacious journalist and advocate for the Everglades devoted her life to preserving the unique, sprawling ecosystem now protected by federal law.
    Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Diving is a consecrated art, but Key struggles with her competing desire to contribute her research to the Museum of Human Memory instead of the temple in which she was raised.
    Natalie Zutter June 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • Churches are fine, but consecrated Earth is dangerous to them.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.
    Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • At best, the new tax break means many seniors will save some money on taxes over four years.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consecrate. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on consecrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!