Verb Praise, worship or criticism of exaggerated praise
GlorifyMeaning, examples and usage
To glorify is to praise or honor someone or something highly, or to present it as more admirable than it really is.
Say it: GLOR-uh-fy · stress the first syllable
How to use glorify
Before using glorify, decide whether you approve of the praise. A hymn can glorify God; a review can criticize a film for glorifying violence. In a thank-you note, “recognize” or “praise” usually sounds more natural. “I want to recognize the care you took” is easier to understand than “I want to glorify your work.”
Example sentences
Illustrative examples written for this guide.
Religious praise
“The congregation sang a hymn to glorify God.”
Here the verb expresses worship, not exaggeration.
A critical observation
“The documentary examines dangerous driving without trying to glorify it.”
The speaker does not want harmful behavior to look admirable.
The related form glorified
“The expensive organizer turned out to be a glorified notebook.”
Glorified can suggest that an ordinary thing has been made to sound grander than it is.
Similar words, different emphasis
- Praise
- A straightforward choice when you approve of an action or quality.
- Honor
- Emphasizes respect or recognition, often in a ceremony or public acknowledgment.
- Glamorize
- Useful when the problem is making something look attractive or exciting, despite its drawbacks.
Is glorify a positive or negative word?
It depends on what is being praised and whether the speaker thinks that praise is justified. “Glorify kindness” sounds approving; “glorify cruelty” usually sounds critical. The verb describes how something is presented. It does not establish that the subject deserves admiration.
References and editorial note
The linked dictionary entries support the word meanings. The example sentences and writing suggestions are Ikigain’s own. This is a language guide, not a personality assessment.