Word
exalt
Phoneticsex·alt, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪɡˈzɔɫt/
UK/ɛɡzˈɒlt/
Definition
v. to praise someone or something very highly. It can also mean to raise someone to a more powerful or important position.
v. to raise in rank, power, or character; to elevate by praise or estimation. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the glorification of a person or idea.
Examples
“The local newspapers exalt the athlete as a national hero.”
“The new regime sought to exalt the common worker through propaganda and public monuments.”
“In his final symphony, the composer sought to exalt the human spirit, moving from a somber opening to a triumphant and joyous finale.”
Examples
simple
“The local newspapers exalt the athlete as a national hero.”
contextual
“The new regime sought to exalt the common worker through propaganda and public monuments.”
complex
“In his final symphony, the composer sought to exalt the human spirit, moving from a somber opening to a triumphant and joyous finale.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “exalt” in context.
Verb
01. exalt hero
“The film exalts ordinary soldiers as selfless heroes of the nation.”
verb + noun
02. exalt leader
“Propaganda posters exalted the leader to almost divine status.”
verb + noun
03. exalt virtue
“The novel exalts patience and humility as the highest virtues.”
verb + noun
04. seek to exalt
“Hagiographies seek to exalt their subjects rather than examine them critically.”
verb + to + verb
Adjective
05. highly exalt
“Critics highly exalt his early novels as masterpieces of modern fiction.”
adv + verb
06. publicly exalt
“The party publicly exalted its founder as the saviour of the nation.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. exalt as saint
“After her death, supporters exalted her as a saint.”
verb + prep + noun
08. exalt to power
“The coup exalted a little-known general to power almost overnight.”
verb + prep + noun
09. exalt duty above all else
“The speech exalted duty above all else, urging citizens to serve the nation.”
10. exalt someone to power
“The revolution exalted an unknown officer to power within months.”
11. highly exalted in the press
“The young novelist was highly exalted in the press as a literary genius.”
12. seek to exalt the leader
“State media sought to exalt the leader as infallible and visionary.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. In religious or formal contexts, it is frequently used in the passive voice.
Etymology
From Latin exaltō, the term passed into Old French as exalter before entering Middle English as exalten.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/exalt