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
Part 2, on Sunday, is an inaugural Mass, with special rites to consecrate the main altar. John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 The Pantheon was consecrated as a Catholic church in 609 A.D. and now operates as a tourist attraction. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for consecrate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consecrate
Adjective
  • As with any good Southern tradition, part of what makes football season so holy is the food.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The collection spans categories like body care — Bath & Body Works’ holy grail — home decor, candles, and beyond, with prices starting at $1.95.
    Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The village dedicated a new police station as part of the Public Safety Campus in 2018.
    Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Homeless advocates, in fact, debate whether the organizations that dedicate money, resources and volunteers to bring food and such may be doing more harm than good.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Does reading about sharks that can walk on land fill you with awe about our planet and the incredible adaptations that animals are blessed with to survive and thrive?
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well.
    Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The oak is one of the Tongva people’s sacred plants; its acorns are a staple in traditional meals.
    Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The Maha Kumbh Mela celebration lasts six weeks and is expected to draw 400 million visitors, many of whom will have come to bathe in the sacred waters where three holy rivers meet.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Hoppus has survived a terrifying health ordeal, and is ready to devote himself full-time to music.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Science — to which Mann is supposed to be devoted — inevitably involves disagreement.
    The Editors, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the oil miraculously burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found.
    Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024
  • That was the most moving moment of the day for Marie Capucine, 37, a consecrated virgin representing her Parisian parish of Saint Germain des Prés at the reopening.
    THOMAS ADAMSON AND SYLVIE CORBET THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Follow Chinese tradition and save some leftovers for the following day as a symbol of bringing surplus into the new year.
    Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
  • That organization may no longer need six SaaS solutions to onboard employees, saving them time and money all while improving their efficiency.
    Amit Mathradas, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near consecrate

Cite this Entry

“Consecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consecrate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on consecrate

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