glorify

verb

glo·​ri·​fy ˈglȯr-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce glorify (audio)
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 noun
glorifier noun

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
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.
For example, while researching material before making Deep Dive Korea, Jeong felt that the topic of the haenyeo female free divers had been glorified in the media without sufficient context of the suffering and hardship historically associated with the community. Sara Merican, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025 The reason is much more convoluted, tracing through location, glorified flag football, player payments and Chip Kelly’s dreams. Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025 Former President Joe Biden recognized both Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day in 2021 amid widespread concerns that honoring the explorer glorifies the exploitation and genocide of native peoples. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 In an age where departments of the United States government apparently engage in internet beef with musicians, Homeland Security is taunting Zach Bryan by using one of his songs in a video glorifying immigration enforcement officers. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glorify

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of glorify was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glorify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glorify. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

glorify

verb
glo·​ri·​fy ˈglōr-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce glorify (audio)
ˈglȯr-
glorified; glorifying
1
2
: to praise highly
3
: to present in a highly often overly favorable light
glorify war
glorification noun
glorifier noun

More from Merriam-Webster on glorify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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