sublimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sublimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to psychology, chemistry, or metaphorically to describe the transformation of emotions or desires into more acceptable forms. Example: "He was able to sublimate his anger into productive work, channeling his frustration into creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For Bloom and other Straussians (followers of the German-émigré philosopher Leo Strauss), the ideal student is morally earnest and sexually naive, a young man brimming with unspent eros, which the teacher can help him sublimate — that is, transform into an erotic attraction to the sublime objects of philosophical reflection.

The New Yorker

Mr Collins says that the best bosses are self-effacing and modest: they sublimate their personal ambitions to those of the organisation.

The Economist

At 65, he has no choice but to sublimate his personal political ambitions into those of his boss; and, as an old Washington hand, he knows how to get things done.

The Economist

The raw food is frozen, and the low pressure conditions cause the ice in the food to sublimate directly into vapour (i.e., it does not transit through the liquid state).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It can be used effectively to relieve or sublimate intolerable intensity of grief, pain, or ecstasy as in the use of the pop song "Stuck in the Middle with You" during a torture scene in Reservoir Dogs (1992).

Encyclopedia Britannica

When a comet comes close to the Sun, the ices sublimate (go directly from the solid to the gas phase) and form, along with entrained dust particles, a bright outflowing atmosphere around the comet nucleus known as a coma.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The coma is the freely escaping atmosphere around the nucleus that forms when the comet comes close to the Sun and the volatile ices sublimate, carrying with them dust particles that are intimately mixed with the frozen ices in the nucleus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mercury II) chloride, HgCl2 (also called bichloride of mercury or corrosive sublimate), is perhaps the commonest bivalent compound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In one story, an eccentric, elderly writer keeps the poet who broke her heart sealed up inside the fantasy kingdom that has made her rich and famous – Atwood's lovely acknowledgment of the way in which artists can sublimate or channel their pain into their work.

Independent

While Manson tries to sublimate his passion for Prue by sleeping with a young colleague, Sorenson marries Prue, then turns his attention to Manson's wife, Cassie (Sheila Allen).

Independent

In the seven years at school I didn't see a single fight – it was lots of Jews, who don't like fighting, so what we would sublimate all of that aggression into a sense of humour.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific contexts, reserve "sublimate" to describe the phase transition from solid to gas without an intermediate liquid phase.

Common error

Avoid using "sublimate" interchangeably with general terms like "transform" or "change" unless the specific nuances of redirection, purification, or phase transition are intended. Using more general terms like "transform" or "change" could be misleading or less precise.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sublimate" is as a verb. It describes the process of changing from one state or form to another, whether physically (as in chemistry) or psychologically (as in redirecting impulses). Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

37%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Sublimate" is a versatile verb with distinct applications in both scientific and psychological contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically sound and widely used. It can describe the physical process of a substance transitioning directly from solid to gas, or the psychological process of redirecting unacceptable impulses into productive activities. While examples span various domains, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Related terms include "transform", "refine", and "channel". When using "sublimate", ensure the context aligns with its specific meaning to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transform

Implies a change in form, appearance, or character, similar to "sublimate" but without the specific connotations of purification or redirection of energy.

transform into

Highlights a complete change, closely resembling "sublimate" when discussing a change from one state to another.

purify

Focuses on the removal of impurities, aligning with one aspect of "sublimate" when referring to refining a substance.

convert

Emphasizes changing something into a different form or substance, similar to the transformational aspect of "sublimate".

refine

Suggests improvement or clarification, similar to "sublimate" in the context of improving a skill or idea.

redirect

Indicates changing the direction or focus of something, akin to "sublimate" when referring to channeling energy or desires.

divert

Indicates turning something aside from its original course, related to the redirection aspect of "sublimate".

channel

Suggests directing something into a specific course, similar to "sublimate" in the context of emotions or energy.

elevate

Suggests raising something to a higher level, similar to "sublimate" when referring to improving or refining.

spiritualize

Implies transforming something into a spiritual or less material form, reflecting the purification aspect of "sublimate".

FAQs

How is "sublimate" used in psychology?

In psychology, "sublimate" refers to transforming unacceptable or harmful impulses into socially acceptable behaviors. For instance, someone with aggressive tendencies might "channel" their energy into competitive sports.

What does it mean when a substance is said to "sublimate"?

In chemistry, "sublimate" describes the direct transition of a substance from a solid to a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid phase. Dry ice is a common example of a substance that "transforms" in this way.

Can you provide an example of using "sublimate" in a sentence?

An example sentence is: "Artists often "channel" their personal pain into their work, using creativity to "sublimate" their suffering into something beautiful and meaningful."

What are some alternatives to using the word "sublimate"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "transform", "refine", "redirect", or "channel" as alternatives to "sublimate". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.