stultify

[ stuhl-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing.

1. 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

2. Law. to allege or prove (oneself or another person) to be of unsound mind.
3. Older Use. to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous.

verb (used without object)

, stul·ti·fied, stul·ti·fy·ing.

1. 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

1. to make useless, futile, or ineffectual, esp by routine
2. to cause to appear absurd or inconsistent
3. 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

Origin of stultify¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from Late Latin stultificāre, equivalent to Latin stult(us) “stupid” + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of stultify¹

C18: from Latin stultus stupid + facere to make

Example Sentences

Not for Gardiner the pietistically devotional approach that can stultify.

From New York Times

It’s about trying to weary and stultify the American public into not caring about what’s happening.

From Washington Post

To “My Sharona” Ooh, you gonna testify, testify Those Repubs you’ll stultify NOW, Fiona!

From Washington Post

Okay—here's me using stultify in a sentence.

From Literature

My father, who won’t let me go to school with a contusion the size of a baseball, has grounded me and banned me from working to stultify my life.

From Literature

Related Words

• benumb
• deaden
• dull