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Beatify

v. kind, hopeful formal

What it means

To formally declare a deceased person blessed in the Roman Catholic Church.

Reach for it when referring precisely to the church step that precedes possible canonization

Church authorities voted to beatify the nurse after the required inquiry.

Words to choose between 5

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
formal
literary

  • everyday

    declare blessed

    Fits when plain explanation is needed for readers outside the church

    Careful The phrase may describe an informal judgment unless the church process is named.

  • formal

    canonize

    Fits when the intended act is the later declaration of sainthood

    Careful Canonize is not interchangeable with beatify and marks a different stage.

  • formal

    venerate

    Fits when the focus is honoring a holy person

    Careful Veneration can occur without any formal declaration by church authority.

  • literary

    glorify

    Fits when exalted praise rather than a legal church process is meant

    Careful Glorify can imply excessive praise and is inaccurate for beatification.

  • literary

    sanctify

    Fits when something is made or treated as sacred

    Careful Sanctify applies broadly to places and acts, not this specific status.

Opposites 3

  • condemn
  • excommunicate
  • denounce

Common phrases 3

  • move to beatify

    The diocese chose to move to beatify the physician only after reviewing the archive.

  • decision to beatify

    The decision to beatify her followed decades of documented devotion.

  • petition to beatify

    A petition to beatify the monk included testimony from several communities.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Beatify names a specific Roman Catholic process. It should not be presented as a general synonym for praise or blessing.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: BirdHopper, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated