sanctify
C1Formal, religious, literary
Definition
Meaning
To make holy or sacred; to consecrate.
To give religious or moral legitimacy to something; to purify or free from sin; to make something appear right or acceptable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries strong religious connotations but can be used metaphorically in secular contexts to mean 'to legitimize' or 'to give official approval to'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it primarily in religious and formal contexts.
Connotations
Equally strong religious connotations in both varieties. In secular use, it can imply a somewhat forced or artificial justification.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. Slightly more common in American English due to higher visibility of religious discourse in public life.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] sanctifies [Object][Object] is sanctified by [Agent][Subject] sanctifies [Object] as [Complement]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sanctify the means by the end”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The board's approval sanctified the controversial merger.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and sociology to discuss processes of legitimization.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Mostly found in formal writing or religious contexts.
Technical
Used in theology and liturgical contexts to describe specific rites.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bishop will sanctify the new chapel next Sunday.
- Tradition sanctifies this ground as a burial site.
American English
- The priest sanctified the marriage vows.
- Can a simple law truly sanctify such a practice?
adverb
British English
- The relics were treated sanctifiedly by the monks.
- He spoke sanctifiedly of the ancient rites.
American English
- The ceremony proceeded sanctifiedly and without interruption.
- She sanctifiedly observed all the traditions.
adjective
British English
- The sanctified chalice was kept in the vault.
- They entered the sanctified space with reverence.
American English
- They used sanctified oil for the ceremony.
- The sanctified grounds of the cemetery were well-kept.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The priest came to sanctify their new home.
- Water from the river is used to sanctify people.
- The treaty was signed in a ceremony designed to sanctify the peace.
- Many cultures have rituals to sanctify the transition to adulthood.
- The government's attempt to sanctify its authoritarian measures by invoking national security was widely criticized.
- His lifelong service to the poor sanctified him in the eyes of the community.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SANCTUARY (a holy place) + FY (to make). To SANCTIFY is to make something like a sanctuary—holy and set apart.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY IS CLEANLINESS / LEGITIMACY IS HOLINESS. The act of sanctifying is conceptualized as a cleansing ritual that transforms an ordinary thing into a legitimate, approved one.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'sanction' (санкционировать).
- The Russian 'освящать' is a close match for the core religious meaning.
- The secular meaning of 'to legitimize' is not always directly translatable with one word.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'They sanctified the new policy.' (Overly strong for a simple approval) Better: 'They endorsed the new policy.'
- Confusing 'sanctify' (to make holy) with 'sanction' (to give official permission or to impose a penalty).
Practice
Quiz
In a secular context, 'sanctify' is closest in meaning to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its core meaning is religious. However, it can be used metaphorically in formal language to mean 'to give official or moral legitimacy to something'.
The main noun forms are 'sanctification' (the process) and 'sanctity' (the state of being holy).
They are very close synonyms. 'Consecrate' is often more specific to formal religious ceremonies dedicating something to a sacred purpose (like a church or a bishop), while 'sanctify' has a broader sense of making something holy or pure.
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'The marriage was sanctified by the church.' or 'The ground is considered sanctified.'
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