edifying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of edifyingnext
1
as in explanatory

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2
as in uplifting

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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
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 Some are more edifying than practical; a few deliver on pleasure and technique in equal measure. — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025 Another edifying history book to recently hit shelves is not a doorstop volume like Lepore’s, but a slender posthumous collection of speeches, essays, and unpublished musings by David McCullough. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for edifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for edifying
  1. explanatory
  2. uplifting
  3. educating
  4. detailed
  5. inspiring
  6. enlightening
  7. copious
  8. moving
Adjective
  • The guild’s campaign includes a one-sheet explaining its support for the bill, as well as an entire section on its website dedicated to explanatory information.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 July 2026
  • Tighter supply will reopen the spread between markets, and the map will win back some of its explanatory power.
    — Tony Julianelle, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of explanatory
Adjective
  • Kim recommends pairing Cottage Door with an uplifting hue like Apricot Blush and Moonshot, along with light wood tones to create a space that’s infused with warmth and optimism.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This body spray melds dates with toffee, buttery caramel, and sandalwood oil for a scent that’s truly delectable, uplifting, and lush.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of uplifting
Verb
  • Over the last few years, the UC system has been under immense pressure to reaffirm its commitment to educating the residents of the state.
    — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The company heavily emphasizes one-on-one communication starting at the initial consultation, educating customers and sharing clear next steps throughout the process.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • But opposition voices and even Spain’s defense minister have asked for Morocco to give a more detailed explanation on its response to the crisis, which was fueled by social media posts encouraging people to cross the frontier.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • While Juno was initially built to study the inner workings of Jupiter, its camera recorded the first detailed video of the planet's clouds and atmosphere.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • Stop asking whether your company's values sound inspiring and start asking whether those values remove options.
    — Brandon Shannon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s nothing more inspiring — and dangerous — than the prodigal son hired to fix his old team.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of inspiring
Verb
  • 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
  • Beto O’Rourke, thank you so much for joining The David Frum Show and for enlightening us about Texas today.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of enlightening
Adjective
  • This is what happened in the Big Thompson back in 1976, when slow-moving thunderstorms dumped copious amounts of rain over mountainous terrain.
    — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • This one laid the groundwork for an entire genre with its gross-out gags, copious substance abuse, and rousing victory at the end.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026
Definition of copious
Adjective
  • One of Bourdain’s most moving reflections on fatherhood came in a 2013 essay for The Guardian.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
  • To discover that the notes corresponded to where there was more human activity was really very moving.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of moving

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Cite this Entry

“Edifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edifying. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on edifying

Nglish: Translation of edifying for Spanish Speakers

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