HALLOW Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of hallow are consecrate , dedicate , and devote . While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," hallow , often differing little from dedicate or consecrate , may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity. // battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Q: When could 'consecrate' be used to replace 'hallow'?

The words consecrate and hallow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality. // consecrate a church to the worship of God

Q: When can 'dedicate' be used instead of 'hallow'?

The synonyms dedicate and hallow are sometimes interchangeable, but dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose. // dedicated her life to medical research

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

In some situations, the words devote and hallow are roughly equivalent. However, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective. // devoted his evenings to study

hallow

verb

ˈha-(ˌ)lō

Definition of hallow

as in to bless

to make holy through prayers or ritual Lincoln's memorable words at the Gettysburg battlefield, "we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground"

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How does the verb hallow contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallow are consecrate, dedicate, and devote. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

When could consecrate be used to replace hallow?

The words consecrate and hallow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When can dedicate be used instead of hallow?

The synonyms dedicate and hallow are sometimes interchangeable, but dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

In what contexts can devote take the place of hallow?

In some situations, the words devote and hallow are roughly equivalent. However, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

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 hallow Yet, these grounds were hallowed to the African American community. — Chip Colwell, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2025 In a new political environment in which none of the new leaders could claim to be revolutionary founding fathers, Deng’s blessing hallowed Jiang and Hu and helped ensure that each survived the vicissitudes of succession politics. — Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2025 In a world where hallowed news organizations transform into conservative mouthpieces and milquetoast late-night jokes are grounds for suspension, satirical headlines from the Onion can feel closer to real life than parody. — Manisha Krishnan, Wired News, 25 Sep. 2025 But embracing its blues roots has begun to help revitalize the town, with places like the crossroads and Ground Zero standing as legitimate tourist attractions, hallowed ground boasting visits from legendary rockers like Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallow

Verb

So far, his scheming hasn’t been all that productive, and with Saeed inching into the case, Johnny is more likely to get benched with Molly, who’s mostly there to say lines of expository dialogue, bless her.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
And while he’s been blessed by natural talent and physicality, his rise through the system has been a journey of sacrifice and education.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bless

Verb

In Sugar Land, Texas, a 90-foot statue of the deity Hanuman, consecrated in 2024 at a temple complex, continues to draw disparaging comments, including one YouTube personality who recently urged its demolition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
The King’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit, is also expected to be consecrated during the ceremony.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of consecrate

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Hall of Fame

hallow

hallowed

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

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Synonyms of hallow

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