exalt
gb/ɪɡzˈɔlt/ us/ɪɡzˈɔlt/
C1
English
magasztal, felemel, fölé helyez
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
magasztal
C1
Usage pattern:
exalt [someone/something] (as [something])
The article exalts her courage under pressure.
A cikk magasztalja a nyomás alatt tanúsított bátorságát.
He tends to exalt traditional values in his speeches.
Beszédeiben hajlamos magasztalni a hagyományos értékeket.
The book exalts the beauty of ordinary life.
Learner examples
People exalt him for his work.
Az emberek magasztalják őt a munkájáért.
The speech exalted the team’s success.
A beszéd magasztalta a csapat sikerét.
Common mistake:
Learners often use it in casual speech where "praise" or "admire" sounds more natural.
Meaning
praise very highly
Collocations
exalt virtues
|exalt the hero
|exalt a leader
|exalt the achievements
|exalt the importance
|exalt the role
|exalt someone as a genius
|exalt someone in speech
|exalt someone in literature
|exalt someone in public
Synonyms
praise (More common and less formal than "exalt.")
|
glorify (Often suggests making something seem more splendid or heroic than it is.)
|
extol (Very close in meaning, also formal.)
Antonyms
criticize (Focuses on faults rather than praising.)
|
denigrate (Actively talks down or attacks someone’s worth.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|culture
Definition
To praise someone or something a lot.
To praise someone or something very strongly, often in a formal way, and present them as great or admirable.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
felemel
C1
Usage pattern:
exalt [someone] (to [position/status])
After the victory, the general was exalted to a senior command.
A győzelem után a tábornokot magasabb parancsnoki beosztásba emelték.
Legends often exalt ordinary people into national heroes.
A legendák gyakran nemzeti hősökké emelik a hétköznapi embereket.
The ceremony exalted him from a local figure to a symbol of the movement.
Learner examples
The king exalted him to a higher rank.
A király magasabb rangra emelte őt.
Common mistake:
Often confused with "promote"; "exalt" is less common and usually more grand or ceremonial.
Meaning
raise to higher rank
Collocations
exalt someone to power
|exalt someone to the throne
|exalt someone to high office
|exalt someone to sainthood
|exalt someone to a position
|exalt someone to leadership
|exalt someone above others
|exalt a ruler
|exalt a champion
|exalt a figure
Synonyms
elevate (More neutral; can be physical or figurative.)
|
promote (Common in jobs/organizations; less emotional.)
|
raise (General and everyday; less formal.)
Antonyms
demote (Move someone to a lower rank or position.)
|
downgrade (Reduce status, importance, or level.)
Themes
work
|politics
|society
Definition
To give someone a higher position or status.
To raise someone to a higher rank, position, or level of power or honor.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
fölé helyez
B2
magasztal
C1
Usage pattern:
exalt [value/idea] (above/over [another])
The policy exalts economic growth over environmental protection.
A politika a gazdasági növekedést a környezetvédelem fölé helyezi.
Her essays exalt curiosity as the key to learning.
Esszéi a kíváncsiságot mint a tanulás kulcsát magasztalják.
The film exalts style at the expense of story.
Learner examples
He exalts money over family.
A pénzt a család fölé helyezi.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where "value" or "prioritize" is more natural in modern speech.
Meaning
treat as most important
Collocations
exalt freedom
|exalt efficiency
|exalt reason
|exalt profit over people
|exalt one principle above another
|exalt competition
|exalt individualism
|exalt tradition
|exalt loyalty
|exalt success
Synonyms
prioritize (More modern and practical; less rhetorical.)
|
privilege (Often used in academic/social discussion for giving advantage to one thing.)
|
elevate (Neutral; focuses on raising importance.)
Antonyms
downplay (Make something seem less important.)
|
devalue (Treat as less valuable or worthwhile.)
Themes
ideas
|ethics
|society
Definition
To say one idea is more important than others.
To treat an idea, quality, or value as especially important or superior, often by placing it above other concerns.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
4
magasztal
C1
Usage pattern:
exalt [God/the Lord] (in [worship/prayer/song])
The hymn invites the congregation to exalt the Lord.
Az ének arra hívja a gyülekezetet, hogy magasztalja az Urat.
They gathered to exalt God through music and prayer.
Összegyűltek, hogy énekkel és imával magasztalják Istent.
The sermon urged listeners to exalt His name in daily life.
Learner examples
They exalt God in their songs.
Énekeikben Istent magasztalják.
Common mistake:
In religious contexts it can mean both 'praise' and 'honor as supreme'; the tone is typically solemn/formal.
Meaning
glorify God in worship
Collocations
exalt the Lord
|exalt God
|exalt His name
|exalt Christ
|exalt in worship
|exalt in prayer
|exalt in song
|exalt and magnify
|exalt forever
|exalt above all
Synonyms
worship (Broader; includes acts beyond verbal praise.)
|
glorify (Very close; common in religious phrasing.)
|
praise (More general; can be religious or non-religious.)
Antonyms
blaspheme (Show disrespect toward God or sacred things.)
|
profane (Treat something sacred with disrespect.)
Themes
religion
|culture
Definition
To praise God in worship.
To honor and glorify God, especially through worship, prayer, or religious language.
Grammar
Dictionary form
exalt
IPA
GB/ɪɡzˈɔlt/
US/ɪɡzˈɔlt/
Syllables & stress
ex - alt (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (alt)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: exalt
- 3rd Person Singular: exalts
- Present Participle: exalting
- Past: exalted
Word family
Expressions
be exalted
1/bˈi ɪɡzˈɔltɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
be greatly honored or praised
To be honored or praised very highly.
Examples
- In many myths, warriors who die bravely are exalted as legends.
- The leader was exalted by supporters and criticized by opponents.
- In the prayer, God is exalted above all.
Learner examples
- She was exalted as a national hero.
be exalted
1/bˈi ɪɡzˈɔltɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
be highly praised and honored
to be praised a lot (often in religion)
Examples
- In the closing prayer, God is exalted above all.
- The hymn repeats the line, “Be exalted forever.”
- She said that courage should be exalted, not mocked.
Learner examples
- In the song, God is exalted.
exalt [something] over/above [something]
1/ɪɡzˈɔlt sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈoʊvɚəbˈoʊv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
value one thing more
To put one thing higher than another.
Examples
- The company exalts profit over safety in a way that worries regulators.
- The novel exalts loyalty above truth, and that’s its central tension.
- Don’t exalt speed over accuracy when you’re learning.
Learner examples
- He exalts work over rest.
exalt yourself
1/ɪɡzˈɔlt jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
formal
act proudly or self-importantly
To think or act like you are very important.
Examples
- He’s always trying to exalt himself by putting others down.
- The proverb warns that those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
- She refused to exalt herself, even after winning the award.
Learner examples
- Don’t exalt yourself in front of others.