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

Norman Maclean, the author I most associate with Montana, exalts the virtues of packing in the final story in his “A River Runs Through It” collection.

From Washington Post

These are things that they will never speak about, but it’s, it’s part of the illusion of being unreachable and being exalted from the everyday man.

From MIT Technology Review

Washington has a serious tendency to exalt semantics over common sense.

From The Daily Beast

Not exactly the kind of jobs a new president wants to exalt as the solution of the future.

From The Daily Beast

When you exalt him put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the dark mountain lift ye up a banner, exalt the voice, lift up the hand, and let the rulers go into the gates.

From Project Gutenberg

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

From Project Gutenberg

Religion seems to have been invented but to exalt princes above their nations, and to deliver the people to their discretion.

From Project Gutenberg

Do not misunderstand me, however, and imagine that I wish to exalt Chopin at the expense of another great musician.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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