What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sanctify
Example
The priest sanctified the church with a special ceremony. [sanctified: verb]
Example
The holy water is used to sanctify the altar before mass. [sanctify: present tense]
purify
Example
The water was purified using a filtration system. [purified: past tense]
Example
The air purifier helps to purify the air in the room. [purify: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Purify is more commonly used than sanctify in everyday language. Purify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sanctify is less common and refers to a specific religious or spiritual act.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sanctify and purify?
Sanctify is typically associated with a formal and religious tone, while purify can be used in both formal and informal contexts.