beatify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beatify" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a religious context to refer to the act of declaring someone blessed or worthy of veneration, often in relation to the Catholic Church. Example: "The Pope will beatify the late bishop during the upcoming ceremony, recognizing his contributions to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

They will gather at the Vatican later this month to beatify 498 victims, mostly priests, monks and nuns, of leftist Republicans during and before the civil war.

The Economist

He said the United States sought new relations with the continent based on partnership, and praised what he described as a renaissance.More than 1m people turned out to see Pope John Paul II during his three-day visit to Nigeria to beatify a Nigerian priest who died 34 years ago.

The Economist

This week Pope Francis will spend five days there, for Asian Youth Day and to beatify 124 early martyrs.

The Economist

Not surprisingly, the move to beatify Pius XII alongside John XXIII in 2000 provoked a storm of controversy that may have contributed to the decision to postpone Pius's beatification.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This view changed over time, and efforts to beatify Emmerick were revived under Pope Paul VI in the 1970s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To take it one step further from the proverbially butterfly wing-flap, in the clamour to condemn Clarke and beatify the anonymous till worker, we see the playback of one of the grandest cosmic dramas of them all.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The interpretation may seem a touch cynical, but how about a skilfully beatified shell company?

The Economist

The pendulum has swung towards affection since the advent of a new pope, who in recent days has scored fresh points by denouncing organised crime and beatifying a priest whom the Mafia killed.The referendum comes as a reminder that anti-clericalism is as big an Italian tradition as churchiness.

The Economist

[Pause for mental calculation.] "To get back to where they were, they'd have to raise the cost of drugs in Europe by about 50%." "Uh huh," I imagine him saying, as his face is beatified by the angelic grin which indicates he is about to go for the kill.

The Economist

Was he a hero who deserves to be beatified, or was he, as some Jews say, guilty of neglectful silence?On October 19th Shimon Peres, Israel's 85-year-old president, tried to draw a line under the row.

The Economist

"We don't want him beatified, but people do pray to him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beatify", ensure the context is related to the Catholic Church's process of recognizing a person as blessed, a step toward sainthood.

Common error

Avoid using "beatify" in secular contexts where terms like "glorify" or "exalt" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "beatify" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating who or what is being made blissful or declared blessed, as shown in Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "beatify" is grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily within the context of the Catholic Church to describe the act of declaring someone blessed as a step towards sainthood. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as encyclopedic sources, maintaining a formal and scientific register. While synonyms like "glorify" or "exalt" exist, it's crucial to consider the specific religious context when using "beatify". Ludwig can assist in ensuring the term is used accurately and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Declare as blessed

Formal phrasing focusing on the official declaration of blessedness.

Sanctify

Make holy or sacred; similar to beatify but with a broader religious context.

Recognize as saintly

Emphasizes recognition of saint-like qualities.

Canonize

Refers to the final step of declaring someone a saint.

Venerate

To regard with great respect; a step before beatification.

Deify

Elevate to divine status, higher than beatification.

Bless

To invoke divine favor upon; more general than beatify.

Glorify

To praise or honor; emphasizes the act of giving glory.

Exalt

To hold someone in very high regard; broader application.

Adore

To love and respect deeply; more personal and emotional.

FAQs

What does "beatify" mean in the Catholic Church?

In the Catholic Church, to "beatify" means to declare a deceased person blessed and worthy of religious veneration, a preliminary step to being declared a saint.

How is the term "beatify" different from "canonize"?

"Beatify" is a step before canonization. To "canonize" is to declare someone a saint, the final step in the process.

Can "beatify" be used in a non-religious context?

While "beatify" is primarily used in a religious context, you might use alternatives like "glorify" or "exalt" in secular contexts to express high praise or honor.

What are some synonyms for "beatify"?

Synonyms for "beatify" include "sanctify", "bless", and "exalt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.