glorify
gb/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ/ us/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ/
B2
English
magasztal, ajnároz, dicsőít, idealizál, fényezni magát, önmagát dicsőíteni, szebbé tesz, kiemel, megdicsőít
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
glorify [someone/something]
The article glorified the scientist’s achievements and ignored her setbacks.
A cikk magasztalta a tudós eredményeit, és figyelmen kívül hagyta a kudarcait.
Fans often glorify athletes who win at any cost.
A rajongók gyakran magasztalják azokat a sportolókat, akik bármi áron győznek.
The speech glorified the sacrifices of ordinary workers.
Learner examples
The movie glorifies its main character.
A film magasztalja a főszereplőjét.
Some people glorify fame.
Vannak, akik a hírnevet magasztalják.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for small compliments; it usually suggests strong or exaggerated praise.
Meaning
praise someone or something greatly
Collocations
glorify a hero
|glorify a leader
|glorify success
|glorify achievement
|glorify a victory
|glorify the nation
|glorify the brand
|glorify someone in the press
Synonyms
extol (More formal; emphasizes enthusiastic praise.)
|
celebrate (Often focuses on public recognition or approval.)
Antonyms
criticize (Expresses disapproval instead of praise.)
|
denigrate (Strongly attacks someone’s worth or reputation.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|media
Definition
to praise someone or something a lot
To praise or admire someone or something very strongly, often in public or in writing.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
glorify [something]
Critics said the series glorified gang life.
A kritikusok szerint a sorozat dicsőítette a bandák életmódját.
The ad was accused of glorifying reckless driving.
A reklámot azzal vádolták, hogy dicsőíti a felelőtlen vezetést.
He worries that social media glorifies extreme dieting.
Learner examples
This game does not glorify violence.
Ez a játék nem dicsőíti az erőszakot.
Some movies glorify war.
Egyes filmek dicsőítik a háborút.
Common mistake:
Often carries criticism: if you ‘glorify’ violence or crime, you are accused of approving it.
Meaning
make something seem admirable
Collocations
glorify violence
|glorify war
|glorify crime
|glorify drug use
|glorify unhealthy habits
|glorify the past
|glorify suffering
|glorify risk-taking
Synonyms
romanticize (Suggests making something seem more appealing by focusing on pleasant details.)
|
whitewash (Emphasizes hiding or minimizing faults.)
Antonyms
condemn (Openly states strong disapproval.)
|
expose (Shows the reality, especially the negative side.)
Themes
media
|ethics
|opinions
Definition
to make something bad look good
To present something as more admirable, attractive, or acceptable than it really is, especially something harmful or morally questionable.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
glorify God
The choir sang to glorify God.
A kórus azért énekelt, hogy dicsőítse Istent.
They believe their work should glorify the Lord.
Úgy hiszik, hogy a munkájukkal az Urat kell dicsőíteniük.
She said the goal of the project was to glorify God through service.
Learner examples
They meet to glorify God.
Azért találkoznak, hogy dicsőítsék Istent.
The song glorifies the Lord.
A dal az Urat dicsőíti.
Common mistake:
In this sense it usually takes God/Lord as the object; it is not the same as ‘glorify’ meaning ‘make famous.’
Meaning
praise God in worship
Collocations
glorify God
|glorify the Lord
|glorify His name
|glorify God through service
|glorify God in prayer
|glorify God with your life
Synonyms
praise (Broader and more general; does not always imply worship.)
|
exalt (More solemn; emphasizes lifting God up in honor.)
Antonyms
blaspheme (Shows disrespect toward God, the opposite of honoring.)
Themes
religion
Definition
to praise God
To give glory to God; to worship or praise God, especially in a religious context.
VERB
C1
4
Usage pattern:
glorify yourself
He used the interview to glorify himself rather than discuss the team’s work.
Az interjút arra használta, hogy a csapat munkájának megvitatása helyett magát fényezze.
She dislikes leaders who glorify themselves and ignore everyone else.
Nem kedveli azokat a vezetőket, akik fényezik magukat, és mindenki mást figyelmen kívül hagynak.
The memoir sometimes seems more interested in glorifying the author than telling the story.
Learner examples
Don’t glorify yourself in meetings.
Ne fényezd magad a megbeszéléseken.
Common mistake:
This is usually negative: ‘glorify yourself’ suggests vanity, not healthy confidence.
Meaning
praise yourself; boast
Collocations
glorify yourself
|glorify oneself
|glorify his own role
|glorify her own achievements
|glorify themselves at others' expense
Synonyms
brag (More informal and direct about talking proudly.)
|
self-promote (Focuses on marketing oneself, often in career contexts.)
Antonyms
downplay (Minimizes one’s importance or achievements.)
|
be modest (Avoids drawing attention to oneself.)
Themes
communication
|social_relations
Definition
to talk about yourself too proudly
To praise or promote oneself in order to gain admiration; to make oneself seem more important or admirable than is justified.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
5
szebbé tesz
B1
kiemel
B1
Usage pattern:
glorify [something]
Large windows glorify the view of the river.
A nagy ablakok még szebbé teszik a folyóra nyíló kilátást.
Fresh flowers can glorify even a simple table setting.
A friss virágok még egy egyszerű terítéket is szebbé tehetnek.
The lighting was designed to glorify the building’s stonework.
Learner examples
Good lighting can glorify a photo.
A jó világítás szebbé tehet egy fotót.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common in everyday speech; ‘enhance’ is usually more natural.
Meaning
make something look more impressive
Collocations
glorify a room
|glorify the landscape
|glorify the view
|glorify the façade
|glorify the occasion
|glorify the setting
Synonyms
beautify (Focuses mainly on making something more beautiful.)
|
embellish (Adds decorative details; can imply excess.)
Antonyms
spoil (Damages the appearance or effect.)
|
diminish (Makes something seem less impressive.)
Themes
arts
|daily_life
|design
Definition
to make something look better
To make something seem more splendid, beautiful, or impressive, especially by adding something that highlights its best qualities.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
6
megdicsőít
C1
Usage pattern:
be glorified; glorify [someone]
The sermon spoke of believers being glorified after the resurrection.
A prédikáció arról szólt, hogy a hívők a feltámadás után megdicsőülnek.
In this tradition, the saints are glorified in heaven.
Ebben a hagyományban a szentek a mennyben megdicsőülnek.
The text describes Christ as risen and glorified.
Common mistake:
This sense is specialized; in general English ‘glorify’ usually means ‘praise’ rather than a spiritual transformation.
Meaning
give a glorified state
Collocations
be glorified
|glorify the faithful
|glorified body
|glorified state
|to be raised and glorified
Synonyms
exalt (Can overlap in religious writing, but does not always imply transformation.)
Antonyms
damn (In religious contexts, condemns rather than honors or perfects.)
Themes
religion
Definition
in some religions, to make someone perfect after death
In Christian theology, to make someone glorious and immortal, especially after death or at the resurrection.
Grammar
Dictionary form
glorify
IPA
GB/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ/
US/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
glor - i - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (glor)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: glorify
- 3rd Person Singular: glorifies
- Present Participle: glorifying
- Past: glorified
Word family
Expressions
glorify god
1/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ ɡˈɑd/
fixed phrase
formal
praise God in worship
to praise God
Examples
- They believe music should glorify God.
- The group volunteers to glorify God through service to others.
Learner examples
- They sing to glorify God.
glorify the dead
1/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ ðə dˈɛd/
fixed phrase
praise someone after death
to only say good things about someone who died
Examples
- The biography doesn’t glorify the dead; it includes the person’s mistakes as well.
- She refused to glorify the dead and asked people to remember the full truth.
glorify the past
1/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ ðə pˈæst/
fixed phrase
idealize earlier times
to think the past was better than it was
Examples
- It’s easy to glorify the past when you’ve forgotten the difficulties.
- The campaign tried to glorify the past instead of offering practical solutions.
Learner examples
- Some people glorify the past.
glorify violence
1/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ vˈaɪələns/
fixed phrase
present violence as admirable
to make violence look good
Examples
- Parents complained that the film glorified violence.
- The director insisted the story shows consequences and does not glorify violence.
Learner examples
- This show should not glorify violence.
glorify war
1/ɡlˈɔɹɪfˌaɪ wˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
portray war as heroic
to make war seem exciting or heroic
Examples
- Some historians argue that monuments can unintentionally glorify war.
- The novel refuses to glorify war and focuses on civilian losses.
Learner examples
- The book does not glorify war.