immolate

1 of 2

verb

im·​mo·​late ˈi-mə-ˌlāt How to pronounce immolate (audio)
immolated; immolating
Synonyms of immolate

transitive verb

1
: to kill or destroy especially by fire
2
: to offer in sacrifice
especially : to kill as a sacrificial victim
immolator
ˈi-mə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce immolate (audio)
noun

immolator

2 of 2

noun

im·​mo·​la·​tor ˈiməˌlātə(r) How to pronounce immolator (audio)
-ātə-
plural -s
: one that immolates

Synonyms of immolate

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Verb

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Examples of immolate in a Sentence

Verb a man who immolated himself as an act of protest a ceremony in which they immolated their cherished possessions so that the gods would send rain
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Eventually, their own stars would have died, immolating or jettisoning them in the process. — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025 For instance, in Atlanta a man self- immolated in front of the Israeli embassy. — Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026 The songs are silhouettes for a vocalist to customize, invest in and, in some of the best outcomes, eventually immolate. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 Because the courts were never going to be a substitute for Congress and the public standing up to a self-immolating executive branch. — Leah Litman, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immolate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin immolatus, past participle of immolare to sprinkle with meal before sacrificing, sacrifice, from in- + mola sacrificial barley cake, literally, millstone; akin to Latin molere to grind — more at meal

Noun

Latin, from immolatus + -or

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

Rhymes for immolate

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Browse Nearby Words

immodulated
immolate
immolation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

immolate

verb
im·​mo·​late ˈim-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce immolate (audio)
immolated; immolating
: to kill as a sacrifice
immolation
ˌim-ə-ˈlā-shən
noun
immolator
ˈim-ə-ˌlāt-ər How to pronounce immolate (audio)
noun
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