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stultify
[ stuhl-tuh-fahy ]
verb (used with object)
- to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, especially by degrading or frustrating means:
Must we stultify the progress of these reforms with yet more red tape?
Synonyms: thwart, negate, impede, frustrate, dull, deaden, benumb
- Law. to allege or prove (oneself or another person) to be of unsound mind.
- Older Use. to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous.
verb (used without object)
- to become ineffectual or impaired, especially through frustrating, stifling, or deadening conditions:
Without an environment of encouragement and creativity, the mind can stultify.
stultify
/ ˈstʌltɪˌfaɪ /
verb
- to make useless, futile, or ineffectual, esp by routine
- to cause to appear absurd or inconsistent
- to prove (someone) to be of unsound mind and thus not legally responsible
Derived Forms
- ˈstultiˌfier, noun
- ˌstultifiˈcation, noun
Other Words From
- stul·ti·fi·ca·tion [stuhl-t, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
- stul·ti·fi·er noun
- stul·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
- non·stul·ti·fi·ca·tion noun
- un·stul·ti·fied adjective
- un·stul·ti·fy·ing adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of stultify1
Example Sentences
It occurred to him that modern education existed largely to stultify independent thought.
"To thank men like Cowan, who did not desire to enfranchise woman any more than the negro, was to stultify ourselves," he said.
The latter has allowed its prejudices and its feelings to obliterate or to stultify its reason.
Link-torches, unless of the best pitch-pine (Pinus resinosa), do not burn with sufficient brightness to stultify the pigeons.
As she took a step towards the bridge-tables, Jack felt that he was losing her; yet he would only stultify himself by an apology.
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