bless
verb
ˈbles 
blessed ˈblest also blest ˈblest ; blessing
also blest ˈblest ; blessing transitive verb
1
religion : to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word
asked the priest to bless their marriage
Bless this home.
2
religion : to hallow with the sign of the cross
He blessed himself before liftoff.
3
: to invoke divine care for
bless your heart
—used in the phrase bless you to wish good health especially to one who has just sneezed 4
a
: praise, glorify
bless his holy name
b
: to speak well of : approve
5
: to confer prosperity or happiness upon
God has blessed us with four children.
6
archaic : protect, preserve
Bless me from marrying a usurer!
Shakespeare
Shakespeare7
: endow, favor
blessed with athletic ability
Synonyms
- consecrate
- hallow
- sacralize
- sanctify
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The priest blessed their marriage at the wedding. The water for the baptism has been blessed. The priest blessed the baby I held in my arms.
Recent Examples on the Web Managers who recognize themselves in the above scenario should admit it and bless their quiet quitters out the door — in fairness to their other employees. Lynne Curry | Alaska Workplace, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2022 Many team owners fear the fan backlash that would come with signing Kaepernick, but the Bay Area, bless its heart, is not stuck in 1950. Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 July 2022 Ukrainian officials remain worried that the Kremlin’s forces will sanitize the plant ahead of the visit and intimidate workers into not telling the truth about Russian behavior, prompting the IAEA to bless the safety protocols at the plant. John Hudson, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Ukrainian officials said their biggest fear was that the IAEA visit would bless the safety protocols being followed at the plant, and by consequence seem to legitimize Russia’s occupying presence there. John Hudson, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2022 Bless John Wockenfuss, and bless you too, my friends. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Aug. 2022 God bless the camera operator who zoomed in on this family portrait: Not the barefoot group shot! Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Now, JetBlue and Spirit face a new battle to get antitrust regulators to bless the deal, amid federal concern that competition in the industry is shrinking after years of mergers. Francesca Fontana, WSJ, 29 July 2022 Reina Donaire, 36, from Edmonton, stood at the lip of the lake, only feet from where Francis would minutes later bless the water, with four other friends from the Philippines. New York Times, 29 July 2022 See More
Lynne Curry | Alaska Workplace, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2022 Many team owners fear the fan backlash that would come with signing Kaepernick, but the Bay Area, bless its heart, is not stuck in 1950. Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 July 2022 Ukrainian officials remain worried that the Kremlin’s forces will sanitize the plant ahead of the visit and intimidate workers into not telling the truth about Russian behavior, prompting the IAEA to bless the safety protocols at the plant. John Hudson, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Ukrainian officials said their biggest fear was that the IAEA visit would bless the safety protocols being followed at the plant, and by consequence seem to legitimize Russia’s occupying presence there. John Hudson, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2022 Bless John Wockenfuss, and bless you too, my friends. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Aug. 2022 God bless the camera operator who zoomed in on this family portrait: Not the barefoot group shot! Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Now, JetBlue and Spirit face a new battle to get antitrust regulators to bless the deal, amid federal concern that competition in the industry is shrinking after years of mergers. Francesca Fontana, WSJ, 29 July 2022 Reina Donaire, 36, from Edmonton, stood at the lip of the lake, only feet from where Francis would minutes later bless the water, with four other friends from the Philippines. New York Times, 29 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English blētsian, from blōd blood; from the use of blood in consecration
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing bless
Kids Definition
bless
verb
ˈbles
blessed
ˈblest
also blest; blessing 1
: to make holy by a religious ceremony or words
bless an altar
2
: to ask the favor or protection of God for
Bless the children of the world.
Hint: The phrase bless you is used to wish good health especially to someone who has just sneezed.
3
: to praise or honor as holy
bless the Lord
4
: to give happiness or good fortune to
He is blessed with good health.
blessings
noun
1
as in prayers
a prayer calling for divine care, protection, or favor that rabbi always ends the service with a short blessing Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- prayers
- benedictions
- petitions
- benisons
- layings on of hands
- pleas
- invocations
- orisons
- intercessions
- graces
- supplications
- appeals
- entreaties
- Godspeeds
- sanctifications
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- curses
- imprecations
- maledictions
- anathemas
- execrations
2
as in benefits
something that provides happiness or does good for a person or thing winning the lottery shortly after being laid off was an unexpected blessing Synonyms & Similar Words
- benefits
- boons
- gifts
- benedictions
- felicities
- windfalls
- bonuses
- goods
- consolations
- godsends
- mercies
- reliefs
- mannas
- advantages
- graces
- joys
- assistances
- delights
- mitzvoth
- pleasures
- solaces
- comforts
- help
- favors
- aids
- mitzvahs
- supports
- anodynes
- extras
- lagniappes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- evils
- curses
- afflictions
- plagues
- scourges
- nuisances
- banes
- disadvantages
- pests
- irritants
- trials
- tribulations
- miseries
- jinxes
- hexes
- hoodoos
- bothers
- crosses
3
as in approvals
an acceptance of something as satisfactory Mr. Roberts promptly gave his blessing to his daughter's choice of husband Synonyms & Similar Words
- approvals
- favors
- approbations
- votes
- nods
- assents
- endorsements
- imprimaturs
- supports
- clean bills of health
- pats on the back
- sanctions
- benedictions
- satisfactions
- ratifications
- backings
- okays
- goodwills
- cachets
- rubber stamps
- consents
- formalizations
- finalizations
- agreements
- likings
- OKs
- indorsements
- thumbs-ups
- homologations
- acceptations
- accessions
- concurrences
- countenances
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- refusals
- repudiations
- disapprovals
- rejections
- dissatisfactions
- criticisms
- condemnations
- disapprobations
- denunciations
- dislikes
- disparagements
- depreciations
- censures
- deprecations
- disfavors
- reproaches
- reprobations
- reprehensions
- opprobriums
4
as in consecrations
the act of making something holy through religious ritual traditionally, worshippers kneel during the blessing of the communion wafers Synonyms & Similar Words
- consecrations
- purifications
- dedications
- adorations
- sanctifications
- reverences
- worships
- glorifications
- venerations
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- desecrations
- impieties
- debasements
- sacrileges
- profanations
- defilements
- irreverences