exalt

[ ig-zawlt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, etc.; elevate:

   He was exalted to the position of president.

   Synonyms: ennoble, raise, dignify, promote

   Antonyms: humble

2. to praise; extol:

   to exalt someone to the skies.

   Synonyms: glorify

   Antonyms: depreciate

3. to stimulate, as the imagination:

   The lyrics of Shakespeare exalted the audience.

4. to intensify, as a color:

   complementary colors exalt each other.

5. Obsolete. to elate, as with pride or joy.

exalt

/ ɪɡˈzɔːlt /

verb

1. to raise or elevate in rank, position, dignity, etc
2. to praise highly; glorify; extol
3. to stimulate the mind or imagination of; excite
4. to increase the intensity of (a colour, etc)
5. to fill with joy or delight; elate
6. obsolete.
   to lift up physically

Usage

Exalt is sometimes wrongly used where exult is meant: he was exulting (not exalting ) in his win earlier that day

Derived Forms

• exˈalter, noun

Other Words From

• ex·alter noun
• self-ex·alting adjective
• super·ex·alt verb (used with object)
• unex·alting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exalt¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English exalten, from Latin exaltāre “to lift up,” from ex- ex- ¹ + alt(us) “high” + -āre, infinitive verb ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of exalt¹

C15: from Latin exaltāre to raise, from altus high

Synonym Study

See elevate.

Example Sentences

The home where my wife grew up, where she posed for prom photos, where she cared for the pets who to this day are exalted as legends.

From Los Angeles Times

One of baseball’s marquee franchises didn’t get to its exalted spot overnight.

From Los Angeles Times

Foster genuinely seems to view her spouse in an exalted light — frequently referencing his “goodness” or how much “better” he is than her.

From Los Angeles Times

Well, the good and bad part about how fast these news cycles are and how things get exalted in social media, is the minutia.

From Salon

John Nieporte, the head pro at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla., golf club, raved about Trump as a “great boss and helluva golfer,” exalting his game from tee shot to the putting green.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dignify
• extol
• glorify
• laud
• magnify
• revere