as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
a family-oriented show that tried to edify the television audience as well as entertain it
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Recent Examples of edify
Stewart’s routine was both uninspired and unholy — an act that failed to edify any audience.
—
Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025
Or think how far entertainment has gotten from the art that used to comprise it?
Board games like Trivial Pursuit were a long way down the road from the more edifying entertainment of say the Renaissance.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Defeats can be at least as edifying and invigorating as successes.
—Henri J. Barkey, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2019
In 2025, Machel Montano helped kick off a whirlwind year for Caribbean music and culture with NPR Tiny Desk’s first-ever soca set; Thursday night (Jan. 8), Kes may have just done the same for 2026 with a dazzling, edifying headlining performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Unity Jazz Festival.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for edify
Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025
Or think how far entertainment has gotten from the art that used to comprise it?
Board games like Trivial Pursuit were a long way down the road from the more edifying entertainment of say the Renaissance.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Defeats can be at least as edifying and invigorating as successes.
—Henri J. Barkey, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2019
In 2025, Machel Montano helped kick off a whirlwind year for Caribbean music and culture with NPR Tiny Desk’s first-ever soca set; Thursday night (Jan. 8), Kes may have just done the same for 2026 with a dazzling, edifying headlining performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Unity Jazz Festival.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for edify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for edify
Verb
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Signs educate guests on the process of how the agave is fermented with yeast in large tanks and wooden vats.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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McDonald's teamed up with Netflix to launch two limited-time meals inspired by the film’s rival K-pop groups, HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys — complete with collectible photocards and exclusive digital content.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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Namira lives in East Elmhurst, where several bus stops had recently been removed, disrupting her mother’s commute to Times Square and inspiring her to action.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Edify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edify. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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