sanctify
verb
sanc·ti·fy ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-ˌfī 
sanctified; sanctifying
transitive verb
1
: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate
2
: to free from sin : purify
3
a
: to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to
b
: to give moral or social sanction to
4
: to make productive of holiness or piety
observe the day of the sabbath, to sanctify it 
Deuteronomy 5:12 (Douay Version)
Deuteronomy 5:12 (Douay Version)
Synonyms
- cleanse
- purge
- purify
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The priest sanctified their marriage. The constitution sanctified the rights of the people.
Recent Examples on the Web Indeed to sanctify your memory would be to miss out on the very core of your being, your wonderfully mischievous sense of humor with a laugh that bent you double. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2022 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 Contrary to many social mores, milah and niddah attempt to sanctify life, even in the most powerful and intimate realms. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 28 Mar. 2022 Her death in 1856 marked the end of a 16-year mission in Indiana and the beginning of efforts to sanctify her contributions. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Oct. 2021 An ornate metal crucifix in the foreground and a wooden one on the wall behind the couple sanctify the scene. Peter Van Agtmael, Magazine, 8 Dec. 2020 After harming or even executing the scapegoat, the society can create myths of atonement that sanctify social structures. Michael A. Vargas, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2020 See More
Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2022 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, 11 July 2022 Contrary to many social mores, milah and niddah attempt to sanctify life, even in the most powerful and intimate realms. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 28 Mar. 2022 Her death in 1856 marked the end of a 16-year mission in Indiana and the beginning of efforts to sanctify her contributions. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Oct. 2021 An ornate metal crucifix in the foreground and a wooden one on the wall behind the couple sanctify the scene. Peter Van Agtmael, Magazine, 8 Dec. 2020 After harming or even executing the scapegoat, the society can create myths of atonement that sanctify social structures. Michael A. Vargas, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English seintefien, sanctifien, from Anglo-French seintefier, sanctifier, from Late Latin sanctificare, from Latin sanctus sacred — more at saint
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
sanctifying
verb
1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially received the sacrament of penance, whereby they were sanctified and restored to divine grace Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- purging
- purifying
- cleansing
- healing
- restoring
- refining
- improving
- amending
- ennobling
- regenerating
- elevating
- uplifting
- vindicating
- acquitting
- clearing
- exonerating
- absolving
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- corrupting
- debasing
- degrading
- defiling
- debauching
- perverting
- staining
- demeaning
- profaning
- depraving
- warping
- poisoning
- prostituting
- tarnishing
- sullying
2
as in blessing
to make holy through prayers or ritual sanctify the bread for Communion Synonyms & Similar Words
- blessing
- consecrating
- sacralizing
- hallowing
- dedicating
- purifying
- spiritualizing
- cleansing
- baptizing
- devoting
- canonizing
- exorcising
- baptising
- chastening
- expurgating
- exorcizing
- lustrating
- reconsecrating
- committing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defiling
- profaning
- desecrating
- polluting
- violating
- dirtying
- punishing
- soiling
- tainting
- blaspheming
- desanctifying
- cursing
- desacralizing
- deconsecrating
- fouling
- condemning
- damning
- cussing
- damning
- execrating
- casting out