glorify

verb

glo·​ri·​fy ˈglȯr-ə-ˌfī 

glorified; glorifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to make glorious by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration

b

: to elevate to celestial glory

2

: to light up brilliantly

Chandeliers glorified the entire room.

3

a

: to represent as glorious : extol

a song glorifying romantic love

b

: to cause to be or seem to be better than the actual condition

the new position is just a glorified version of the old stockroom job

4

: to give glory to (as in worship)

glorification

ˌglȯr-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

glorifier

ˈglȯr-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• aggrandize
• canonize
• deify
• dignify
• elevate
• ennoble
• enshrine
• ensky
• enthrone
• exalt
• magnify

Examples of glorify in a Sentence

Glorify and give thanks to God.

a number of big names were recruited in the hopes that their presence would glorify the university's school of medicine in the eyes of the medical world

Recent Examples on the Web

In her new book, Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, Shields dives headfirst into the complexities of growing older in a culture that glorifies youth. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 13 Jan. 2025

Or try to make space for yourself in a world that glorifies hustle? —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 30 Dec. 2024

Many video game developers built their careers during an era that glorified graphical fidelity. —Zachary Small, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Through its strident positivity, PST ART glorifies speed and risk-taking (not to say recklessness) in the service of progress and discovery. —Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English glorifien, from Anglo-French glorifier, from Late Latin glorificare, from gloria

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

glorify

verb

glo·​ri·​fy ˈglōr-ə-ˌfī 

ˈglȯr-

glorified; glorifying

1

: worship entry 2 sense 1, adore

2

: to praise highly

3

: to present in a highly often overly favorable light

glorify war

glorification

ˌglōr-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ˌglȯr-

noun

glorifier

ˈglōr-ə-fī(-ə)r 

ˈglȯr-

noun