Definition

1. Verb:
   • To raise in rank, character, or status: To elevate someone or something to a higher position or level of importance.
   • To praise, glorify, or honor highly: To speak or write about someone or something with great admiration and respect.
   • To heighten or intensify: To increase the degree or intensity of something, such as emotions, colors, or qualities.
   • To fill with sublime emotion: To inspire feelings of great happiness, excitement, or elation.

Usage Examples

• To raise in rank or status:
  • The king decided to exalt the loyal knight to the position of royal advisor.
  • Her groundbreaking research exalted her to a leading figure in the field.
• To praise or glorify:
  • The poet wrote verses to exalt the beauty of the natural world.
  • The speech exalted the virtues of courage and self-sacrifice.
• To heighten or intensify:
  • The composer used a full orchestra to exalt the emotional power of the final movement.
  • The setting sun exalted the colors of the landscape.
• To fill with sublime emotion:
  • The audience was exalted by the magnificent performance.
  • He felt exalted by the unexpected honor.

Advanced Usage

• "To exalt someone/something to the skies": To praise someone or something excessively or without limit.
  • The critics exalted the new film to the skies, calling it a masterpiece.
• "Exalted" (Adjective): Used to describe a state of being elevated in rank or filled with intense joy. This is the past participle form used as an adjective.
  • She held an exalted position in the company.
  • He was in an exalted mood after hearing the good news.

Variants and Related Words

• Exaltation (n): A feeling or state of extreme happiness, or the action of praising someone/something highly.
  • Her face was radiant with exaltation.
  • The exaltation of the hero was the theme of the ceremony.
• Exalted (adj): (As above) Of high rank or spiritual/emotional intensity.
• Exalter (n): One who exalts (less common).

Synonyms

• Elevate: To raise to a higher position or level.
• Extol: To praise enthusiastically.
• Glorify: To praise and worship, or to represent as admirable.
• Magnify: To make something seem more important than it is; to praise.
• Ennoble: To lend greater dignity or nobility of character to.

Antonyms

• Demote: To lower in rank or position.
• Debase: To reduce in quality or value; to degrade.
• Belittle: To make someone or something seem unimportant.
• Criticize: To indicate the faults of someone or something.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Exalt the humble and meek": A phrase often found in religious or moral texts, meaning to raise up those who are modest and unassuming.
  • The story is about a kingdom that exalts the humble and meek.
• "In an exalted state": In a condition of great spiritual or emotional elevation.
  • The mystic was in an exalted state after hours of meditation.

Verb

1. raise in rank, character, or status
   • exalted the humble shoemaker to the rank of King's adviser
2. heighten or intensify
   • These paintings exalt the imagination
3. fill with sublime emotion
   • The children were thrilled at the prospect of going to the movies
   • He was inebriated by his phenomenal success
4. praise, glorify, or honor
   • extol the virtues of one's children
   • glorify one's spouse's cooking