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
His magnetic, restrained performance gives flesh to this mythical character, without ever sanctifying him.
—
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 May 2025
In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife.
—Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
By promoting dissimulation and sanctifying mendacity, Trump’s tsarist regime works to silence knowledge.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
After the film climaxes in a predictable shootout, the title character − a Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirming surgery and is reborn as an activist − is sanctified and immortalized.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctify
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 May 2025
In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife.
—Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
By promoting dissimulation and sanctifying mendacity, Trump’s tsarist regime works to silence knowledge.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
After the film climaxes in a predictable shootout, the title character − a Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirming surgery and is reborn as an activist − is sanctified and immortalized.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctify
Verb
-
During a May 19 town hall meeting with NIH staff members, Jay Bhattacharya, the institute’s new director, equivocated when asked about funding cuts for research into improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities — cuts made under the guise of purging DEI from the government.—
Rachana Pradhan,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
-
All 12 seasons and 264 episodes of MSW were purged from Peacock this morning, despite the fact that the series is owned and distributed by Universal Television, sibling studio to the streamer.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
So we’re really blessed that our partners see the vision.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 July 2025
-
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
Verb
-
LifeStraw purifies 1,000 gallons, improves taste, and is 50% off.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
When one is whirling, there is purifying of the heart, and a vortex is being created that allows the possibility for divine inspiration of healing and renewal to enter and spread.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
And so, next door to the photo booth where Nic and Cierra consecrated their mutual vibe, cowgirl style, Hannah climbs onto Pepe’s muscular thighs and gets a little cowgirl make-out of her own.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
-
For the Gulf states, a nuclear deal would align their strategy with Washington’s Middle East policy, which could then be consecrated in a formal strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctify. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share