Bless — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈbles/

Meaning & Definition of Bless

Bless (verb)

  1. to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word
  2. to hallow with the sign of the cross
  3. to invoke divine care for —used in the phrase bless you to wish good health especially to one who has just sneezed

Bless (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make holy through prayers or ritual

    "the priest blessed the water, thus allowing it to be used as holy water for various rites"

    similar: consecrate, hallow, sacralize, sanctify
    related: baptize, canonize, spiritualize, chasten, cleanse, lustrate, purify, exorcise, expurgate, commit, dedicate, devote, reconsecrate
    opposite: deconsecrate, desacralize, desanctify
    near: defile, desecrate, profane, dirty, foul, pollute, soil, taint, violate, blaspheme, curse, cuss, damn, execrate, cast out, condemn, punish

  2. to proclaim the glory of

    "bless the name of God"

    similar: carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol, glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, praise, resound
    related: adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship, acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, renown, salute, chant, cheer, eulogize, rhapsodize, cite, flatter, crack up, recommend, tout
    near: blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate, criticize, reprove, admonish, chide, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, castigate, lambaste

  3. to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute

    "blessed with a knack for glib conversation"

    similar: endow, endue, favor, gift, invest
    related: equip, provide, supply, bestow (on or upon), clothe, confer (on), cover, accord, award, grant, empower, enable, enhance, enrich, heighten, bequeath, will
    near: dispossess, divest, strip, deplete, drain, exhaust, skimp, stint

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bless

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bless:

consecrate, hallow, sacralize, sanctify, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol, glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, praise, resound, endow, endue, favor, gift, invest

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bless

Words with the opposite meaning of Bless:

deconsecrate, desacralize, desanctify

Related Words for Bless

baptize, canonize, spiritualize, chasten, cleanse, lustrate, purify, exorcise, expurgate, commit, dedicate, devote, reconsecrate, adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship, acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, renown, salute, chant, cheer, eulogize, rhapsodize, cite

Near Antonyms of Bless

defile, desecrate, profane, dirty, foul, pollute, soil, taint, violate, blaspheme, curse, cuss, damn, execrate, cast out, condemn, punish, blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate, criticize, reprove, admonish, chide, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, castigate

Word Forms of Bless

Inflections: blessed, blest, blessing

Origin & Etymology of Bless

Middle English, from Old English blētsian, from blōd blood; from the use of blood in consecration

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Bless

Words & Phrases Containing Bless

bless my soul, bless you

Frequently Asked Questions about Bless

What does "Bless" mean?

"Bless" means to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word. As a verb, it is defined as: to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bless"?

Other words for "Bless" include consecrate, hallow, sacralize, sanctify, carol, celebrate, emblazon and exalt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bless" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bless"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bless". Common alternatives include consecrate, hallow, sacralize, sanctify, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol and glorify.

What is the opposite of "Bless"?

Antonyms of "Bless" include deconsecrate, desacralize and desanctify. Near antonyms include defile, desecrate, profane and dirty.

How do you use "Bless" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bless" in a sentence: "the priest blessed the water, thus allowing it to be used as holy water for various rites"; "bless the name of God"; "blessed with a knack for glib conversation".

Is "Bless" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bless" is a verb.

Is "Bless" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Bless" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Bless"?

"Bless" is pronounced /ˈbles/.