exalt
gb/ɪɡzˈɔlt/ us/ɪɡzˈɔlt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
praise very highly
To praise someone or something a lot.
Usage pattern:
exalt [someone/something] (as [something])
Common mistake:
Learners often use it in casual speech where "praise" or "admire" sounds more natural.
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.)
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
Themes
communication
|emotions
|culture
Examples
- The article exalts her courage under pressure.
- He tends to exalt traditional values in his speeches.
- The book exalts the beauty of ordinary life.
Learner examples
- People exalt him for his work.
- The speech exalted the team’s success.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
raise to higher rank
To give someone a higher position or status.
Usage pattern:
exalt [someone] (to [position/status])
Common mistake:
Often confused with "promote"; "exalt" is less common and usually more grand or ceremonial.
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.)
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
Themes
work
|politics
|society
Examples
- After the victory, the general was exalted to a senior command.
- Legends often exalt ordinary people into national heroes.
- The ceremony exalted him from a local figure to a symbol of the movement.
Learner examples
- The king exalted him to a higher rank.
Verb
formal
C2
action
3
treat as most important
To say one idea is more important than others.
Usage pattern:
exalt [value/idea] (above/over [another])
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where "value" or "prioritize" is more natural in modern speech.
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.)
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
Themes
ideas
|ethics
|society
Examples
- The policy exalts economic growth over environmental protection.
- Her essays exalt curiosity as the key to learning.
- The film exalts style at the expense of story.
Learner examples
- He exalts money over family.
Verb
formal
C1
action
4
glorify God in worship
To praise God in worship.
Usage pattern:
exalt [God/the Lord] (in [worship/prayer/song])
Common mistake:
In religious contexts it can mean both 'praise' and 'honor as supreme'; the tone is typically solemn/formal.
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.)
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
Themes
religion
|culture
Examples
- The hymn invites the congregation to exalt the Lord.
- They gathered to exalt God through music and prayer.
- The sermon urged listeners to exalt His name in daily life.
Learner examples
- They exalt God in their songs.
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.
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.
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.
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.