DEDICATE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dedicate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dedicate are consecrate , devote , and hallow . While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose. // dedicated her life to medical research

Q: Where would 'consecrate' be a reasonable alternative to 'dedicate'?

The synonyms consecrate and dedicate are sometimes interchangeable, but consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality. // consecrate a church to the worship of God

Q: When might 'devote' be a better fit than 'dedicate'?

Although the words devote and dedicate have much in common, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective. // devoted his evenings to study

Q: In what contexts can 'hallow' take the place of 'dedicate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dedicate , hallow , often differing little from dedicate or consecrate , may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity. // battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

dedicate

verb

ˈde-di-ˌkāt

Definition of dedicate

as in to devote

to keep or intend for a special purpose a young attorney who has decided to dedicate her career to helping the poor receive justice

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How does the verb dedicate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dedicate are consecrate, devote, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

Where would consecrate be a reasonable alternative to dedicate?

The synonyms consecrate and dedicate are sometimes interchangeable, but consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When might devote be a better fit than dedicate?

Although the words devote and dedicate have much in common, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

In what contexts can hallow take the place of dedicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to dedicate, hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of dedicate Maura Higgins is dedicating her dance to the entire nation of Ireland. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 The campus was dedicated in 1956 and has been a National Historic Landmark since 2014. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 The subject is of particular interest at CBS News, where Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has repeatedly encouraged the network’s journalists to dedicate serious resources to finding a potential link. — semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The department dedicated resources under an office called the National Protection and Programs Directorate to help fortify advanced cyber defense systems and important infrastructure. — Andy Mannix, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dedicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dedicate

Verb

Having survived Auschwitz, Eger devoted her life to helping Vietnam veterans and others confront trauma, guilt and grief.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Sound Moves to the Foreground Seminci also devotes a major retrospective to the role of sound in cinema.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of devote

Verb

Yes, but this doesn’t save a business from the compliance nightmare.

— Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of save

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“Dedicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dedicate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dedicate

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