1
as in to purge
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
received the sacrament of penance, whereby they were sanctified and restored to divine grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bless
to make holy through prayers or ritual
sanctify the bread for Communion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sanctify
There was no contradiction for these women in using sacred imagery to dramatize erotic love, or Scripture to sanctify desire.
—
Chandler Fritz,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Mar. 2026
That was until Pope Leo inadvertently sanctified them in 2026.
—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
For King, defending a people did not mean sanctifying a state.
—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
An overexposed photo shows Miralba from the torso up, looking into a white sky, with a ray of light almost sanctifying her face.
—
Camila Osorio,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanctify
Chandler Fritz,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Mar. 2026
That was until Pope Leo inadvertently sanctified them in 2026.
—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
For King, defending a people did not mean sanctifying a state.
—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
An overexposed photo shows Miralba from the torso up, looking into a white sky, with a ray of light almost sanctifying her face.
—
Camila Osorio,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanctify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctify
Verb
-
Doctors, following accepted practice, would likely have bled or purged an ill person for humoral balance.
-
Among those purged or forced to retire have been a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations and the head of the Defense Health Agency.
Verb
-
He has been blessed with terrific talent but clearly has melded that talent to win games and keep the clubhouse on the same page.
-
Despite his age, Messi is still blessed with breathtaking skill, and is also fiercely competitive, even at training.
Verb
-
And here, the researchers simply purified the translation machinery and supplied it to the SpudCells.
-
The disposable wand purifies red, white and sparkling wines while enhancing the natural taste, aroma and color of the wine.
Verb
-
Generations of cinephiles promoted a version of Agee’s catechism, consecrating Griffith as film’s supreme technical and aesthetic innovator, an almost Promethean figure.
-
By visiting the Basilica and blessing the new tower, the pope follows in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI who in 2010 consecrated the Sagrada Familia.
Cite this Entry
“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctify. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
