exalt

/ɪɡˈzɔːlt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪɡˈzɔːlt/ (ame, ipa) · /ig-ˈzȯlt/ (ame, mw)

exalt — verb

  • exaltpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • exaltshe / she / it
  • exaltedpast simple
  • exalting-ing form

1. to move someone into a much more important job or status, often by official deci

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to move someone into a much more important job or status, often by official decision.

例句

The new king exalted James to commander of the royal guard within a week.

exalt + object + to + position

Mert was exalted to bishop after thirty years of quiet service in the mountain villages.

passive: be exalted to [position]

同義詞
  • elevate

    neutral and more common; works for both rank and abstract qualities

  • promote

    everyday word for raising someone's job rank; less ceremonial

  • raise

    broader; can mean physical or status lifting

  • ennoble

    specifically about granting noble rank or title

反義詞
  • demote

    everyday opposite — move someone to a lower rank

  • depose

    formal; remove a ruler from power

  • abase

    literary; bring someone down in rank or dignity

文法句型

exalt + noun (object)

exalt + noun + to + position

be exalted to (passive)

用法筆記

Subject is usually an institution or a person with formal authority — a monarch, a church, a government, a board. Distinguish from sense 2 (praise): this sense is about an actual change in position, not just words of admiration.

常見錯誤

❌My boss exalted me by saying my report was great.
✅My boss praised me for writing a great report.
💡exalt here needs a real promotion, not just kind words; for kind words use sense 2 or simply 'praise'.
❌He was exalted as the new manager.
✅He was exalted to the position of manager.
💡when naming the new rank, use 'to', not 'as'.

2. to speak about someone or something with very strong, almost worshipful admirati

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to speak about someone or something with very strong, almost worshipful admiration, often in public.

例句

Sunday hymns at the village church exalt the saints for protecting fishermen at sea.

exalt + object + for + gerund (religious / ceremonial register)

Critics exalted Ignacio's first novel as the most original Latin American debut in years.

exalt + object + as + noun phrase (reviews / public commentary)

同義詞
  • extol

    very close in meaning; slightly more about listing virtues than raising the subject up

  • glorify

    stronger and more worship-like; can imply exaggeration

  • laud

    formal; often used of official recognition or written praise

  • praise

    everyday register; covers both small and large admiration

反義詞
  • denounce

    public and strong; speak against openly

  • disparage

    formal; speak about someone as if they have little value

  • belittle

    everyday; make someone seem small or unimportant

文法句型

exalt + noun (object)

exalt + noun + as + noun phrase

exalt + noun + for + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Often appears in religious, ceremonial, or critical writing — sermons, reviews, history. Stronger and more reverent than 'praise'; in everyday speech, 'praise' or 'rave about' is far more natural. Distinguish from sense 1: no real promotion is given, only verbal honour.

常見錯誤

❌My friend exalted my haircut.
✅My friend raved about my haircut.
💡exalt is too formal and worshipful for small everyday compliments.
❌The pastor exalted about God's mercy.
✅The pastor exalted God's mercy.
💡exalt is transitive; no preposition before the direct object.

3. to give someone a powerful feeling of joy or pride that lifts their whole mood,

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to give someone a powerful feeling of joy or pride that lifts their whole mood, almost like a spiritual high.

例句

The first desert sunrise exalted Élise and left her silent for a long time.

exalt + person (natural beauty as trigger)

Mira felt exalted by the choir's final note ringing through the stone cathedral.

passive: be exalted by + noun (music / art as trigger)

同義詞
  • elate

    very close; slightly less spiritual, more about pure happiness

  • thrill

    everyday register; shorter, sharper feeling

  • uplift

    milder; usually about restoring spirits rather than a peak feeling

  • transport

    literary; carry someone away emotionally

反義詞
  • depress

    lower someone's mood, opposite emotional direction

  • deflate

    informal; take the energy or joy out of someone

  • dishearten

    make someone lose courage or enthusiasm

文法句型

be exalted by + noun (passive, common)

feel exalted

exalt + person

用法筆記

Frequently passive: 'be exalted by [music / view / experience]'. The cause is usually something grand, beautiful, or spiritually moving — not ordinary good news. In everyday English a learner is far more likely to meet 'thrilled', 'elated', or 'overjoyed'.

常見錯誤

❌Nala was exalted when she got the parcel.
✅Nala was thrilled when she got the parcel.
💡exalt needs a grand or moving cause, not everyday good news.
❌The film exalted me to cry.
✅The film exalted me; I could not stop crying.
💡exalt does not take a to-infinitive complement.

4. to make a feeling, quality, or effect become stronger or more intense.

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

to make a feeling, quality, or effect become stronger or more intense.

例句

The slow drumming exalted the tension in every scene of Romi's short film.

exalt + abstract noun (artistic / dramatic effect)

A pinch of salt at the end can exalt the sweetness of dark chocolate desserts.

exalt + noun (sensory / culinary intensifying)

同義詞
  • heighten

    very close; common everyday choice for sensory or emotional intensity

  • intensify

    neutral and broader; covers physical, chemical, or emotional

  • enhance

    common in product / cooking / design contexts; emphasises improvement

  • amplify

    stronger; suggests scaling up so the effect is much more noticeable

反義詞
  • diminish

    make smaller or weaker — direct opposite

  • dull

    informal; take the sharpness out of a feeling or sense

  • soften

    make a strong feeling or effect more gentle

文法句型

exalt + abstract noun (effect / quality)

用法筆記

Used mostly in writing about art, food, design, or moral character. The object is almost always an abstract or sensory noun (tension, sweetness, colours, capacity), not a person. In everyday English, 'intensify', 'heighten', or 'enhance' are far more common.

常見錯誤

❌The coach exalted the team's training to four hours.
✅The coach increased the team's training to four hours.
💡exalt is not used for raising amounts or numbers; use 'increase' or 'raise'.
❌The new lights exalted the room brighter.
✅The new lights made the room brighter.
💡exalt does not take an adjective complement like 'brighter'.