devote

Definition of devotenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb devote contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devote are consecrate, dedicate, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

When is it sensible to use consecrate instead of devote?

The words consecrate and devote are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When could dedicate be used to replace devote?

While in some cases nearly identical to devote, dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

When would hallow be a good substitute for devote?

Although the words hallow and devote have much in common, 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 devote These fanbases are uniquely devoted, too, riding with the only two franchises with 0-4 Super Bowl records. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2026 One person who knows him told the FT that Putin devotes 70% of his day to the war and only 30% to other duties, including the economy. Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026 Annie’s mother moved the agency out in 2013 and Annie took the front room as her own bedroom and living room, devoting the rest of the apartment to the growing dog-training business. Anne Kadet, Curbed, 15 May 2026 What began as a groundbreaking social experiment to see how a group of strangers could live together on an island for 39 days has gradually evolved into an intricate strategy game that superfans devote their lives to studying. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for devote
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devote
Verb
  • Being such a fan of books, the 24-year-old actor knew just how dedicated the fanbase for his new Prime Video series Off Campus would be.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • Andrés Spokoiny, the president and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, estimated that the philanthropic sector has dedicated hundreds of thousands of dollars to countering antisemitism — regardless of its definition.
    James Pollard, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Some portion of eligible people are probably discouraged from applying at all, believing the lottery system to be rigged or pointless.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Exclusions include clearance items and gift cards, and the discount is applied to the subtotal before tax and shipping/handling at checkout with the promo code.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Simple and streamlined, this linen tank top is one of the most versatile additions to any travel wardrobe—I’m even eyeing it in a few different colors, given its affordable price tag.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
  • Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie gave him Washington’s name.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Eco effort Ocean Casino Resort is committed to investing in positive environmental change through beach cleanups, charitable contributions, and advocacy including a partnership with an organic farm addressing food insecurity, soil regeneration, and community inclusiveness in Atlantic City.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • The Dawgs lost three blue-chip commits in the last month, including five-star cornerback Donte Wright, who flipped to the Miami Hurricanes less than a week ago.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • The neighborhood It’d be easy to spend a week around Nay Palad’s beachfront area, alternating between dips in the pool, reading books in a hammock, and tours around the gin-clear water in a see-through kayak—but on-the-up Siargao is well worth exploring.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
  • What this narrative neglects are all the ways treatment might cause terrible side effects, or the long period one spends being sick, and how one’s identity may have changed in the interim.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devote. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on devote

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster