rarefy
verb
rar·e·fy
ˈrer-ə-ˌfī 
variants
or less commonly rarify
rarefied; rarefying
1
: to make rare, thin, porous, or less dense : to expand without the addition of matter
2
: to make more spiritual, refined, or abstruse
: to become less dense
Examples of rarefy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As rarefied as his work was, as an individual and as a spirit there was something to celebrate — and yet there were foibles and missteps along the way too, so there was real good drama there.
—
Tim Greiving, latimes.com, 3 June 2019
But in 2003, when Clear was founded, biometric technology was rarefied, known to the public mostly through science fiction films.
—Claire Martin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017
Touching on issues of artistic survival and the porous boundary between work and pleasure, Ms. Subrin, an accomplished visual artist and filmmaker, sifts addiction, celebrity and the plight of the aging actress into something rarefied yet real.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2017
And so while his techniques and ingredients are rarefied, Mr. Lenn’s food is decidedly less luxe in Knoxville, designed to appeal to a broader audience.
—Jane Black, New York Times, 20 June 2017
But Mr. Affleck loves the Carlyle’s rarefied throwback allure.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 4 Nov. 2016
And now, thanks to our constantly rarefying visual culture, the young actormen have become precious too — choosing carefully fitted suits or statement bespokery, not a stray hair on their head or face.
—Mike Albo, Esquire, 4 Apr. 2012
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Tim Greiving, latimes.com, 3 June 2019
But in 2003, when Clear was founded, biometric technology was rarefied, known to the public mostly through science fiction films.
—Claire Martin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017
Touching on issues of artistic survival and the porous boundary between work and pleasure, Ms. Subrin, an accomplished visual artist and filmmaker, sifts addiction, celebrity and the plight of the aging actress into something rarefied yet real.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2017
And so while his techniques and ingredients are rarefied, Mr. Lenn’s food is decidedly less luxe in Knoxville, designed to appeal to a broader audience.
—Jane Black, New York Times, 20 June 2017
But Mr. Affleck loves the Carlyle’s rarefied throwback allure.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 4 Nov. 2016
And now, thanks to our constantly rarefying visual culture, the young actormen have become precious too — choosing carefully fitted suits or statement bespokery, not a stray hair on their head or face.
—Mike Albo, Esquire, 4 Apr. 2012
Dictionary Entries Near rarefy
Cite this Entry
“Rarefy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rarefy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rarefy
verb
rar·e·fy
variants
also rarify
rarefied also rarified; rarefying also rarifying
: to make rare, thin, porous, or less dense : to expand without the addition of matter
: to become less dense
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