French word

sacraliser

Pronunciation

IPA/sakʁalize/

Meaning

  • verbsanctify

Example

Ne sacralise pas ce lieu, c'est juste un vieux bâtiment.

Don't sanctify this place; it's just an old building.

Illustration for sacraliser (sanctify)

More examples

Arrête de sacraliser ce chanteur, il fait des erreurs comme tout le monde.

Stop idolizing this singer; he makes mistakes like everyone else.

Core concept

Something ordinary is treated as sacred, so criticism or ordinary use seems forbidden.

Common phrases

  • sacraliser quelqu'un

    sanctify someone

  • sacraliser une star

    idolize a star

Similar words

adorer: Love intensely and show strong affection or admiration.
aimer: Like or love someone or something.
vénérer: Worship or honor with religious reverence and deep respect.
respecter: Treat someone or something with respect and consideration.

Definition in French

Rendre quelque chose ou quelqu'un sacré, au sens religieux ou symbolique, en lui attribuant un statut intouchable ou vénérable.

Word origin

The verb sacraliser was formed from the French adjective sacral by adding the verb-forming suffix -iser; sacral comes from Latin sacralis.

Usage tips

  • In modern French, sacraliser often has a formal or critical figurative sense rather than a strictly religious one.

Opposites

  • banaliserbanalizeverb
  • désacraliserdesacralizeverb

Related words

  • sacralisationsacralizationnoun

Word lists with this word