1
as in tower
a large, magnificent, or massive building
the U.S. Capitol is one of our nation's most impressive edifices
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2
as in building
something built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity
the first edifices built by the colonists were primitive huts with walls of dried mud and roofs covered with thatch
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3
as in structure
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form
the edifice of the argument is quite simple, once you get past the fancy language
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of edifice
Those living in Upper Manhattan and Harlem must contend with buildings and structures rising up from The Bronx; those on the Upper East Side and Midtown will be looking toward Queens, while those in the East Village, down to Houston Street, are facing Brooklyn edifices.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 May 2026
As with a cathedral, a basilica may be a relatively humble edifice, though many are spectacular buildings.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026
But although the edifice built at great expense—by Fannie Lou Hamer, by John Lewis, by the bloodied limbs of Mississippi sharecroppers and Alabama marchers—has not been entirely bulldozed, only the facade remains.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
The 94-year-old edifice, looming majestically over Boyle Heights, stopped taking patients nearly two decades ago.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for edifice
Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 May 2026
As with a cathedral, a basilica may be a relatively humble edifice, though many are spectacular buildings.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026
But although the edifice built at great expense—by Fannie Lou Hamer, by John Lewis, by the bloodied limbs of Mississippi sharecroppers and Alabama marchers—has not been entirely bulldozed, only the facade remains.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
The 94-year-old edifice, looming majestically over Boyle Heights, stopped taking patients nearly two decades ago.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for edifice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for edifice
Noun
-
The men arrived at the clock tower and marketplace named after the king and urged the darker working-class men to meet them by the sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
Officials said the fireworks will be launched from the east side of the bridge between the two towers, along with a barge off the bridge and a second barge near Pier 39.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Ulbrich envisions Walker expanding his leadership role on the defense as well with Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata no longer in the building.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Aerial footage showed firefighters spraying water on several buildings that were on fire.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Even before the pier collapse, the structure was looking at damage from a previous storm that would take $20 million to repair.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Many of the original structures on the ranch were built by Lytle and his brother—including the Meadowlark Cabin, which still exists today.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The fire engulfed approximately 8,600 square feet of the cathedral’s roof before being extinguished by local firefighters.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
15 June 2026
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It was reassembled at the cathedral a year ago, followed by the monthslong voicing and tuning of the pipes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Tyrnauer also plans to use Tribeca Festival’s history to spark a larger conversation about cities, art, and the need for connection, examining how De Niro and Rosenthal harnessed cinema as a form of civic architecture and activism.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Ukrainian professionals who once worked in finance, information technology, construction, game design and architecture have turned their civilian capabilities to military means.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The framework could be signed by both sides remotely in the next few days, Araghchi said.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Large randomized trials testing specific food protocols don’t yet exist, but the hormonal physiology underlying the general framework is well documented.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Edifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edifice. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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