verb
sanctify
SANGK-tih-feye
Sanctify (verb) means to make something holy or set it apart for religious use. Example: “The priest sanctified the water before the baptism.”
verb
1
To make something holy or set it apart for religious use.
"The priest sanctified the water before the baptism."
2
To give official approval or religious backing to something.
"Tradition alone does not sanctify an unjust practice."
How to use sanctify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make holy, or to give something a stamp of moral or religious approval.
Common pairings
sanctify a marriage
sanctify the ground
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sanctifies
- Past tense
- sanctified
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Tradition alone does not _____ an unjust practice.
Etymology
From Latin sanctus ("holy") plus facere ("to make") — literally "to make holy."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sanctify
See all rhymes for sanctify →Frequently asked questions
What does “sanctify” mean?
The word “sanctify” means to make something holy or set it apart for religious use. In plain terms, to make holy, or to give something a stamp of moral or religious approval.
How do you pronounce “sanctify”?
“Sanctify” is pronounced SANGK-tih-feye (/ˈsæŋk.tɪ.faɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sanctify” in a sentence?
Here is “sanctify” used in a sentence: “Tradition alone does not sanctify an unjust practice.”
What is another word for “sanctify”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sanctify” include hallow.
What is the opposite of “sanctify”?
The opposite of “sanctify” — its antonyms — is profane.
What part of speech is “sanctify”?
“Sanctify” is a verb.
Where does the word “sanctify” come from?
The word “sanctify” comes from Latin. From Latin sanctus ("holy") plus facere ("to make") — literally "to make holy.".
How many meanings does “sanctify” have?
“Sanctify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something holy or set it apart for religious use.
