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Definition of sanctify

sanctify

/ˈsæŋktɪfaɪ/
sanc · ti · fy
Adjective:sanctified
•
Past Simple:sanctified
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Past Participle:sanctified
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Present Participle:sanctifying
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sanctify Lexical Profile

sanctify Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To set apart as or declare holy; to consecrate for sacred use.

Example

"The bishop arrived at dawn to sanctify the newly constructed chapel before its first service."

2

To purify or free from sin and moral corruption.

Example

"Many spiritual traditions teach that acts of genuine charity help to sanctify the soul."

3

To cause to be or seem morally right, legitimate, or officially sanctioned.

Example

"Centuries of tradition do not automatically sanctify an outdated and unfair social practice."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sanctify
Antonyms
View all antonyms for sanctify

• Rhymes for sanctify

• Nearby Words

sanatorium
sanchez
sanchezia
sanctify
sanctimonious
sanction
sanctionable

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'sanctifier', from Late Latin 'sanctificare' ('to make holy'), a compound of Latin 'sanctus' ('holy, sacred') and 'facere' ('to make').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sanctify. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sanctify
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