Word: exalt

Associations

Exalt means to raise someone or something to a higher level of importance or to praise someone very highly. It often conveys feelings of admiration and honor.

• During the ceremony, the community will exalt the achievements of their local heroes. (In this example, "exalt" shows that the community is honoring and praising the local heroes for their contributions.)
• The professor's work was exalted in academic circles for its groundbreaking research. (Here, "exalted" indicates how the professor's work is highly respected and valued in academia.)
• She felt exalted after receiving the award for her outstanding performance. (In this case, "exalted" expresses her elevated feeling of happiness and pride after recognition.)

Synonym: One well-known synonym for "exalt" is "elevate." The main difference is that "elevate" can imply physical raising or improving a condition, while "exalt" focuses more on praise and admiration.

Substitution

Context can influence the choice of words. Here are some alternatives:

• Honor – This means to regard someone with great respect. For example, "They will honor the heroes."
• Celebrate – This often means to acknowledge something with joy. For example, "We will celebrate their achievements."
• Praise – This means to express approval or admiration. For example, "They praise the efforts of the volunteers."

Each alternative carries nuances. "Honor" and "celebrate" are more communal or event-based, while "praise" can be more personal or direct.

Deconstruction

The word "exalt" comes from the Latin root "exaltare," where "ex-" means "up" and "altare" means "to lift." So, it literally means "to lift up." The historical context shows that it has been used for centuries to describe both physical elevation and elevated status in terms of honor or praise.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt exalted? What happened that made you feel that way?
• In what ways can we exalt others in daily life?
• How does society exalt certain individuals, like athletes or leaders? Do you think this is important? Why or why not?