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
Our 25,000 square-foot expansion, adjoining our longtime home in the Historic Shorter African Methodist Episcopal Church (100 years old in 2026), is not just a beautiful edifice.
—
Malik Robinson, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
The four-story edifice was a state-of-the-art facility, containing a gymnasium, locker rooms, and bowling alley.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025
The Red Fort, known locally as Lal Qila, is a sprawling, 17th-century Mughal-era edifice melding Persian and Indian architectural styles, and is visited by tourists throughout the year.
—Shivam Patel, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Time captive within the grand edifices of the past, parading on the stage of memory.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for edifice
Malik Robinson, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
The four-story edifice was a state-of-the-art facility, containing a gymnasium, locker rooms, and bowling alley.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025
The Red Fort, known locally as Lal Qila, is a sprawling, 17th-century Mughal-era edifice melding Persian and Indian architectural styles, and is visited by tourists throughout the year.
—Shivam Patel, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Time captive within the grand edifices of the past, parading on the stage of memory.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for edifice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for edifice
Noun
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There’s also an observation tower in the Shark Valley area with a viewing deck that overlooks alligators, turtles, fish, and birds.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Why does Victor burn down the tower?—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The newest residential project in the city is Flamingo Village, a complex of 16 buildings and 341 apartments built on 13 acres of historic Hialeah Park, home to a casino and racetrack that has hosted political figures and celebrities like Winston Churchill and Jacqueline Kennedy.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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Last year, The Arthur — Boise’s city’s second-tallest building — opened to renters on 12th and Idaho.—
Mark Dee
January 13,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Their streamlined structure transitions effortlessly from day excursions to evening dinners, keeping packing minimal and chic.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Samsung addressed these issues early in development by redesigning the sensor structure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gothic architecture, on the other hand, focused on height and light; despite being constructed from heavy stone, Gothic cathedrals seem to defy the laws of gravity.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Architectural Digest,
9 Jan. 2026
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Reconstruction is now complete and the cathedral is even more breathtaking.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, until the new platform is fully fielded, the E-6B Mercury will remain a central linchpin of America’s airborne command and control architecture.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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Nestled in the tiny eastern Connecticut town, the century-old building that once housed Burdick’s General Store appears to be an ordinary, benign example of historic New England architecture.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Brussels has already begun testing the framework.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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The new law relaxed aspects of the 2017 framework, removing much of municipalities’ ability to regulate AVs within city or county limits.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Edifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edifice. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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