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Sanctify vs Bless - What's the difference?

sanctify | bless |

As verbs the difference between sanctify and bless

is that sanctify is to make holy; to consecrate. Set aside for sacred or ceremonial use while bless is to make something blessed; to confer blessing upon.

As an interjection bless is

Used as an expression of endearment, or (ironically) belittlement.

sanctify

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To make holy; to consecrate. Set aside for sacred or ceremonial use.
  • *
    • And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
  • To free from sin; to purify.
  • *
    • And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified , but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
  • *
    • Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
  • To make acceptable or useful under religious law or practice.
  • *
    • For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
  • To endorse with religious sanction.

    • Synonyms

    * (to make holy) consecrate, hallow * (to free from sin) cleanse, purify

    Antonyms

    * profane

    Related terms

    * sanctification * sanctifier

    References

    * *

    bless

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) blessen, from (etyl) . More at bleed.

    Verb

  • To make something blessed; to confer blessing upon.
  • To make the sign of the cross upon; to cross (oneself).
    • (Holinshed)
  • To praise, or glorify; to extol for excellences.
  • * Bible, Ps. ciii. 1
    • Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
  • To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
  • * Bible, Jer. iv. 3
    • The nations shall bless themselves in him.
  • (obsolete) To wave; to brandish.
  • * Spenser
    • And burning blades about their heads do bless .
  • * Fairfax
    • Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest .
  • To turn (a reference) into an object.
  • (archaic) To secure, defend, or preserve from .
  • * Shakespeare
    • Bless' me ' from marrying a usurer.
  • * Milton
    • to bless' the doors ' from nightly harm
    Antonyms
    * curse * condemn * unbless
    Related terms
    * blessed * blessing

    Etymology 2

    An ellipsis for an expression such as .

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (UK, informal)
  • * 1998 , "Peter Coffey", New Alternative View Of Atomic Structure'' (on Internet newsgroup ''sci.chem )
    • Ah bless ! You must be the welcoming committee for anyone who dares express ignorance.
  • * 2000 , "Hellraiser" (on Internet newsgroup uk.people.teens )
    • oh bless . *hug* that is not true. nobody here bears a grudge against 13 year old dear or against you.
  • * 2001 , "Will", Am I still here?'' (on Internet newsgroup ''uk.religion.pagan )
    • Aw bless ... have white chocolate fudge muffin....a new batch.... made them last night after Nigella....

    Anagrams

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