consecrate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt How to pronounce consecrate (audio)
Definition of consecratenext
as in holy
set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God the consecrate gold tablets which Joseph Smith claimed to have found

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

consecrate

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to dedicate
to keep or intend for a special purpose a philanthropist who consecrated his considerable fortune to an array of charitable causes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bless
to make holy through prayers or ritual plans to consecrate the altar in the new church with great ceremony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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
Griswold—whose father, once the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, consecrated the denomination’s first openly gay bishop—treats the pastors generously, though gingerly, constructing from their lowest moments an affecting study of sacred life in sacrilegious times. —Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024 Other attendees took photos of the reconstructed interior, which also included a new bronze altar that had been consecrated with holy water, chrism oil, incense and prayer by the archbishop during the service. —Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for consecrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consecrate
  1. holy
  2. dedicate
  3. bless
  4. sacred
  5. devote
  6. consecrated
  7. save
Adjective
  • Continue reading … ‘MANY SURPRISES’ – Archaeologists discover proof of Bible verse at holiest site in Christianity.
    — FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Across religions and their various significant and holy sites, people of all faiths have shared in Khalafalla’s experience.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of holy
Verb
  • Colby College in Maine has dedicated a website to the church describing the various scenes and the 13 artists featured in the building.
    — Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Rowling, who has dedicated much of her post-Harry Potter career to anti-transgender rhetoric, celebrated the decision and shared multiple victorious posts on social media.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of dedicate
Verb
  • Princess Margaret Beach and neighboring Lower Bay Beach are the showpieces of an island undeniably blessed with some of the nicest shores in the region.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Hungry to win more silverware and clearly talented, the Nerazzurri are blessed with one of the best and most in-form midfielders in the world.
    — Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of bless
Adjective
  • Others may also visit the sacred sites for a voluntary pilgrimage called Umrah that can be undertaken at any time.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In historical records, Abydos was referred to as a sacred city that was the final resting place of Osiris — the god of the underworld — and the preferred resting place for the first pharaohs.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of sacred
Verb
  • The store also devoted four windows on Fifth Avenue to the collection, which will remain through April 30.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The organization devoted a team to research fan sections across college sports, European leagues and around the world, which eventually led to the concept for The Wall.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of devote
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
Definition of consecrated
Verb
  • California family discusses ongoing legal and political battle to 'save girls' sports' as issue heats up Taylor and Ryan Starling of Riverside, California discussed their ongoing lawsuit over trans inclusion in girls' sports, speaking at the state capital and all the fallout that has come with it.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.
    — Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of save

Browse Nearby Words

conscripts
consecrate
consecrated
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Cite this Entry

“Consecrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consecrate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of consecrate for Spanish Speakers

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