Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Made holy; consecrated: Declared or believed to be sacred, often through a religious rite or ceremony, and devoted to a deity or religious purpose.
   • Treated as if holy; venerated: Regarded with deep religious respect and reverence.

Usage

The adjective "sanctified" describes something that has been formally made holy or is treated as sacred. It is often used in religious contexts but can also be applied more broadly to things treated with extreme reverence. - It typically precedes a noun (e.g., sanctified ground) or follows a linking verb (e.g., The bread is sanctified). - It carries a formal and solemn tone.

Examples

• The priest performed the ritual with sanctified oil.
• They built the altar on sanctified ground.
• In many traditions, certain days are considered sanctified.
• The relics were kept in a sanctified chamber.

Advanced Usage

• "Sanctified by tradition": Made sacred or untouchable through long-established custom rather than formal religious ceremony.
  • The ancient practice was sanctified by tradition, and no one dared to change it.
• Used to imply a state of being set apart for a special, often spiritual, purpose.
  • She felt her work with the poor was a sanctified calling.

Variants and Related Words

• Sanctify (verb): To make holy; to consecrate.
  • The ceremony will sanctify the new chapel.
• Sanctification (noun): The process of making something holy.
  • The sanctification of the site took many years.
• Sanctimony (noun): The hypocritical pretense of being pious. (Note: This is a distinct concept, though the adjective "sanctimonious" is related in form).

Synonyms

• Consecrated: Formally dedicated to a religious purpose.
• Sacred: Connected with God or a god; deserving veneration.
• Hallowed: Made holy; honored as holy.
• Blessed: Made holy; consecrated.

Antonyms

• Desecrated: Treated with violent disrespect; violated.
• Profane: Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
• Secular: Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Sanctified air": An atmosphere of excessive or affected holiness.
  • He spoke with a sanctified air that made his colleagues uncomfortable. (This usage often carries a slightly negative connotation of being self-righteous.)

Adjective

1. made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use
   • a consecrated church
   • the sacred mosque
   • sacred elephants
   • sacred bread and wine
   • sanctified wine