SANCTIFY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

sanctify

verb

ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī

Definition of sanctify

as in to purge

to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially received the sacrament of penance, whereby they were sanctified and restored to divine grace

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bless

to make holy through prayers or ritual sanctify the bread for Communion

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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 sanctify There was no contradiction for these women in using sacred imagery to dramatize erotic love, or Scripture to sanctify desire. — Chandler Fritz, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2026 The cruelest dimension of this is that a Christianity hijacked by the evangelical right now seeks to sanctify that mythology in the name of God. — Otis Moss Iii, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 That was until Pope Leo inadvertently sanctified them in 2026. — Paul Keane, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026 But far from celebrating or sanctifying the throwing off of English rule, the story’s shocking ending portrays the patriots as a fiendish mob, and casts doubt on the bedrock American faith in prosperity. — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sanctify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctify

Verb

Doctors, following accepted practice, would likely have bled or purged an ill person for humoral balance.

— Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Among those purged or forced to retire have been a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations and the head of the Defense Health Agency.

— Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of purge

Verb

He has been blessed with terrific talent but clearly has melded that talent to win games and keep the clubhouse on the same page.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Despite his age, Messi is still blessed with breathtaking skill, and is also fiercely competitive, even at training.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of bless

Verb

In the late 1980s, its ‌founder ⁠Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without the approval of Pope John Paul II, leading those involved to be excommunicated.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
In 1988 Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without the approval of Pope John Paul II.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 July 2026

Definition of consecrate

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sanctifies

sanctify

sanctifying

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“Sanctify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctify. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanctify

verb

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