spiritualize

verb

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ize ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce spiritualize (audio)
-i-chə-ˌlīz,
-ich-wə-ˌlīz
spiritualized; spiritualizing

transitive verb

1
: to make spiritual
especially : to purify from the corrupting influences of the world
2
: to give a spiritual meaning to or understand in a spiritual sense
spiritualization
ˌspir-i-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce spiritualize (audio)
-i-chə-lə-
-ich-wə-lə-
noun

Examples of spiritualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
None of this is intended to take away from the ambivalent and sometimes plainly harmful effects of attempts to spiritualize the pandemic. Benjamin Kirby, Quartz Africa, 1 May 2020 Thought and speech — thought’s public projection — are both combined and spiritualized. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 22 June 2019 The biblical Song of Solomon is a key scripture for the Zohar, and its lush gardens of desire are spiritualized into realms of sacred love, but without losing anything of their erotic passion. Arthur Green, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiritualize was in 1631

Dictionary Entries Near spiritualize

Cite this Entry

“Spiritualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritualize. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on spiritualize

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!