exalt

1 of 2

verb

ex·​alt ig-ˈzȯlt How to pronounce exalt (audio)
exalted; exalting; exalts
Synonyms of exalt

transitive verb

1
: to raise in rank, power, or character
2
: to elevate by praise or in estimation : glorify
3
obsolete : elate
4
: to raise high : elevate
5
: to enhance the activity of : intensify
… rousing and exalting her imagination …—George Eliot

intransitive verb

: to induce exaltation
exalter noun

exalter

2 of 2

noun

ex·​alt·​er
igˈzȯltə(r), 
eg-
plural -s
: one that exalts

Synonyms of exalt

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Verb

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Examples of exalt in a Sentence

Verb His behavior has exalted the power and prestige of his office. The essay exalts the simple beauty of the country. We exalt thee, O Lord. He shamelessly exalts his own role in the peace process.
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Verb
In her endeavor to exalt such a bleak world, Zuniga seems to be battling herself. — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026 Onstage, Michael is exalted, transfigured, fully alive, with neither fear nor shame. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026 Production is either exalted or explained away. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026 The savings plan has been exalted by some as a favorable path to secure a six-figure nest egg for their kids, but personal finance expert Dave Ramsey believes there are better ways to secure wealth. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exalt

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin exaltare, from ex- + altus high — more at old

Noun

Middle English, from exalten + -er

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exalt was in the 15th century

Rhymes for exalt

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Browse Nearby Words

ex-all
exalt
exaltation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exalt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exalt

verb
ex·​alt ig-ˈzȯlt How to pronounce exalt (audio)
1
: to raise in rank, power, or character
2
: to praise highly : glorify
exalter noun

Medical Definition

exalt

transitive verb
ex·​alt ig-ˈzȯlt How to pronounce exalt (audio)
: to cause (virulence) to increase
virulence exalted by addition of mucin to a bacterial culture
also : to increase the virulence of
exalt a virus by repeated rapid passage through susceptible hosts

More from Merriam-Webster on exalt

Nglish: Translation of exalt for Spanish Speakers

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