consecrate

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb consecrate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of consecrate are dedicate, devote, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When can dedicate be used instead of consecrate?

While the synonyms dedicate and consecrate are close in meaning, dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

When would devote be a good substitute for consecrate?

The meanings of devote and consecrate largely overlap; however, devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

When is it sensible to use hallow instead of consecrate?

In some situations, the words hallow and consecrate are roughly equivalent. However, hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consecrate
Adjective
Lana Del Rey doesn’t toy with signs—of American glamour and its decay, of female melancholia and racial desire—so much as consecrate them. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2023
Verb
Nearby is Duomo di Modena, consecrated in 1184, the former seat of the Diocese, later Archdiocese, of Modena. Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Aug. 2024 The vast Salzburg Cathedral was consecrated in the eighth century and achieved its current Baroque form in 1628, while the Franciscan Church is defined by its slender steeple and Romanesque Basilica. A.j. Goldmann, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for consecrate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consecrate
Adjective
  • Essentially, the deal can also further one of the holy grails of he Brazilian and Spanish-language industries in Latin America: a more fluid release of Spanish-language – here Uruguayan films – in the huge market of São Paulo and beyond, and the release of Brazilian films in Uruguay.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
  • And there’s this large spectrum of religious horror and holy horror across film.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Local News The goals of a master plan in Palm Beach County include acquiring more land to dedicate toward public parks.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
  • As the Whitfield family pursues a civil lawsuit against Indianapolis, city officials are promising to dedicate more resources to a program that seeks to prevent situations like this from ever happening.
    Peter Blanchard, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • May God continue to bless her in good health, love and joy!
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • After blessing the holy water, the archbishop will sprinkle it over the congregation and then the altar.
    Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The program will consist primarily of sacred compositions by Benjamin Britten, Antonio Vivaldi, Edwin Fissinger and Caroline Shaw, in contemporary arrangements with lyrics in French, Latin, German and English.
    Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The allure of the Lady Dior line continues with the recent ninth edition of the Dior Lady Art Project, where artists crafted iterations that explored nature, ancestral traditions and sacred symbols — bringing storytelling and design together.
    Alfredo Mineo, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Named for the late Father Charlie Strobel, a Nashville native who devoted his life in the priesthood to community service, Strobel House was unveiled in July.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Teens are devoting slightly less time to the biggest social media apps but remain as glued to their devices as ever, according to a new Pew Research Center report.
    Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • However, the oil miraculously burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found.
    Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 3 Dec. 2024
  • As eye-catching as the 2025 slate of films from consecrated Catalan filmmakers is, the number of titles that will come from first-time feature directors is equally impressive.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • To keep Kiara's mind off things, Rafiki tells the story of young Mufasa (Aaron Pierre), who got washed away from his family by a huge flood and was saved by Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the prince of his pride who shows early signs of his craven nature and eventual heel turn as Scar.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Arkansas' executive branch agencies could save or avoid spending about $300 million in the next six years, according to a report published Monday.
    Worth Sparkman, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near consecrate

Cite this Entry

“Consecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consecrate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on consecrate

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