DEVOTE Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'devote' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devote are consecrate , dedicate , and hallow . While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective. // devoted his evenings to study

Q: When is it sensible to use 'consecrate' instead of 'devote'?

The words consecrate and devote are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality. // consecrate a church to the worship of God

Q: When could 'dedicate' be used to replace 'devote'?

While in some cases nearly identical to devote , dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose. // dedicated her life to medical research

Q: When would 'hallow' be a good substitute for 'devote'?

Although the words hallow and devote have much in common, hallow , often differing little from dedicate or consecrate , may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity. // battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

devote

verb

di-ˈvōt

Definition of devote

as in to dedicate

to keep or intend for a special purpose I conscientiously devote several hours every weekend to playing with my dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to apply

to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention planning a diplomatic career, she's been intensely devoting herself to the study of foreign languages in college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb devote contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devote are consecrate, dedicate, and hallow. While all these words mean "to set apart for a special and often higher end," devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective.

devoted his evenings to study

When is it sensible to use consecrate instead of devote?

The words consecrate and devote are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality.

consecrate a church to the worship of God

When could dedicate be used to replace devote?

While in some cases nearly identical to devote, dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose.

dedicated her life to medical research

When would hallow be a good substitute for devote?

Although the words hallow and devote have much in common, hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.

battlegrounds hallowed by the blood of patriots

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of devote Earlier this month, the conservative pundit Tucker Carlson got in on the act and devoted an entire episode of his podcast to discussing how companies like Flock are creating an always-on surveillance state for American citizens. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 Meanwhile, police departments struggling with staffing shortages and budget cuts have stopped devoting resources to sweeping users and dealers off the streets or out of parks and playgrounds. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Retirees tend to devote more to healthcare, prescriptions and housing than the average worker, and those costs can rise faster than general inflation. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 29 July 2026 More than half of the players who participated in the poll believe that the league has devoted sufficient attention and resources to help prevent players from partnering with gamblers. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for devote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devote

Verb

His family foundation, one of the Bay Area’s largest, has dedicated more than $1 billion to nonprofits and advocacy groups in the region since 2020, according to a Bloomberg calculation based on public documents.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Growing up in a very pro-Israel home guided me toward dedicating my life to educating kids and adults about Israel and the importance of supporting its various institutions.

— Roni Raab, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of dedicate

Verb

This now applies to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents of 14- to 17-year-olds and those aged 55 to 64.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
If the shooter is reckless, like firing a weapon into the air, a state law regarding reckless behavior would apply.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of apply

Verb

Engle was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and transactional money laundering, according to the statement.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2026
The Royals’ defense didn’t help him out much, committing two critical errors.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of commit

Verb

Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on bestseller lists and has been translated into 40 languages, and Smarter Faster Better, also a bestseller.

— Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
Syeda Sultana, chief operating officer at the digital marketing platform Vettted, spent a decade managing a global sustainability program.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of spend

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devoted

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“Devote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devote. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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