edifying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of edifyingnext
1
as in explanatory

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
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
  1. explanatory
  2. uplifting
  3. educating
  4. detailed
  5. inspiring
  6. enlightening
  7. copious
  8. moving
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
  • At the same time, attendees described the mood of Saturday as joyous and uplifting.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • More uplifting were her warm scenes with Vinson, who was outfitted with an oversize head.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of uplifting
Verb
  • As such, continued awareness of ongoing ICE activities and educating people about their rights is core to the NWI Community Response Team’s mission.
    — Jim Masters, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Faculty are chosen based on their track record of educating Black students.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • Adding to the bronze structure is a detailed blossom decoration featuring 925 sterling silver and 24K gold accents.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
  • After a detailed briefing with an ATI staff member, I was kitted out with a folder packed with maps, a Namibian cell phone pre-programmed with key contacts, and a first-aid kit.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • These spaces are about wonder, perfect for a museum that, at its core, is about teaching and inspiring children.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • During the song’s orchestral instrumental, Styles and his classmates watch as their instructor performs an inspiring solo routine that incorporates a number of birdlike movements.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspiring
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
  • Those copious field reports, sworn affidavits, and telegrams signed, alarmingly, HOOVER, would fascinate, enrage, and unmoor me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The core elements—airy melodies, drug talk, copious ad-libs—are old hat, but frank tales of suburban ennui and romantic strife give the Minneapolis rapper’s latest album a refreshingly personal air.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of copious
Adjective
  • Civil rights organizations have found that police have used minor non-moving violations such as window tinting to disproportionately search Black and brown motorists for warrants, weapons and drugs.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of moving

Browse Nearby Words

edify
edifying
edit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Edifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edifying. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All