EDIFYING Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

edifying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of edifying

as in explanatory

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in uplifting

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

edifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of edify

as in educating

to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding a family-oriented show that tried to edify the television audience as well as entertain it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of edifying

Adjective

That leap into truth was very edifying for me. — Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 15 June 2026 The process by which that happens, however, is unlikely to be an edifying one. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 9 June 2026 Trading in this quarter started in the late 1800s, and to this day boasts edifying buildings done in raw stone Qatari style. — Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026 For two decades, this edifying A&E docuseries has been lifting the veil of investigative work during that critical time frame. — James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for edifying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for edifying

Adjective

As the series continues, however, Kazan plays up the explanatory power of an incident from Cathy’s childhood.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
For a writer so given to cultural reference, intellectual genealogy, and various explanatory apparatuses, this failure of language is unexpectedly liberating to read.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of explanatory

Adjective

Combining comedy and emotional depth with neurodiversity representation at its core, the film, which reached over 4 million viewers on its release on ARD, is an uplifting story of family, second chances and connection.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Grand gestures are supposed to be romantic and uplifting, but in the real world, many of them would likely raise more concerns than spirits.

— Vanessa Bohns, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of uplifting

Verb

Torres is a board member of the Dallas Mexican American Historical League (DMAHL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the city's Mexican American history.

— Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Even more impressive is the company’s commitment to the local community and environment, and to educating guests about the area’s Indigenous culture and heritage.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of educating

Adjective

While Motor Decide helps identify the best motor technology pathway, Motor AI performs the detailed motor design work needed to bring those concepts to life, according to a press release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
During evidence on Wednesday, Riel Karmy-Jones, the prosecution barrister, detailed allegations made by a total of six women, which have precipitated the seven charges against Brand.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of detailed

Verb

Some wore Hurricanes’ gear, enlightening those who wondered if anyone actually wore such attire.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
But Taraborrelli believes that revisiting a moment in time when Jackson and his music became a cultural phenomenon, as well as enlightening new generations to his otherworldliness as an entertainer, should be a reason for unity.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Definition of enlightening

Adjective

Verity is indisposed, and her husband, Jeremy (Josh Hartnett), is looking for someone to take over her series and come stay at their Vermont house and go through his wife’s copious notes and outlines.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
She has been incapacitated after a car accident but has left copious notes for the next book in a series.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of copious

Adjective

Perhaps the most moving moment of the finale is the last between John and Hal (or, more accurately, the Hal-o-gram).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
Perhaps the most moving moment of Don’t Look Back in Anger arrives early with the first of the reunion concerts in Cardiff, Wales.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of moving

Browse Nearby Words

edify

edifying

edit

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Edifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edifying. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of edifying

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes