sanctify

[ sangk-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, sanc·ti·fied, sanc·ti·fy·ing.

1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

   Synonyms: exalt, enshrine, anoint, hallow, bless

2. to purify or free from sin:

   Sanctify your hearts.

3. to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding:

   to sanctify a vow.

4. to entitle to reverence or respect.
5. to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

sanctify

/ ˈsæŋktɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make holy
2. to free from sin; purify
3. to sanction (an action or practice) as religiously binding

   to sanctify a marriage

4. to declare or render (something) productive of or conductive to holiness, blessing, or grace
5. obsolete.
   to authorize to be revered

Derived Forms

• ˈsanctiˌfiable, adjective
• ˈsanctiˌfier, noun
• ˌsanctifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• sancti·fia·ble adjective
• sancti·fia·ble·ness noun
• sancti·fia·bly adverb
• sancti·fication noun
• sancti·fier noun
• sancti·fying·ly adverb
• nonsanc·ti·fi·cation noun
• pre·sancti·fy verb (used with object) presanctified presanctifying
• self-sancti·fi·cation noun
• un·sancti·fying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctify¹

1350–1400; < Late Latin sānctificāre ( Sanctus, -ify ); replacing Middle English seintefien < Old French saintifier < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctify¹

C14: from Late Latin sanctificāre, from Latin sanctus holy + facere to make

Example Sentences

The judges on the Fifth Circuit could use a reminder: Federal-court opinions should be written for all American citizens, not just those who sanctify a particular text.

From Salon

Accentuating the glass wrinkles with gilding serves to sanctify the century-old depot structure.

From Los Angeles Times

“I can’t speak to the law but the fact that Harvard is fighting this to begin with and refusing to accept responsibility obliterates the sanctify and fidelity of the process so people won’t be willing to give,” said DunKley, 66, a special education consultant.

From Seattle Times

“The story Julian Barry has extracted from Bruce’s life tends to sanctify and, in the end, even to solemnize Bruce rather than to explore his obsessions,” another Times theater critic, Mel Gussow, wrote in a 1972 review, when Sandy Baron replaced Mr. Gorman.

From New York Times

Her connection to her mother remains frayed while she continues to sanctify Minh.

From New York Times

Related Words

• consecrate
• hallow