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
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
Not every scare serves to scar — some can even edify.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 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hit shelves is not a doorstop volume like Lepore’s, but a slender posthumous collection of speeches, essays, and unpublished musings by David McCullough.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
Again, as a parent, we’re edified to hear this — though a 700-calorie lunch is beyond the target for my high school freshman and her Ozempic journey.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for edify
Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026
Not every scare serves to scar — some can even edify.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 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hit shelves is not a doorstop volume like Lepore’s, but a slender posthumous collection of speeches, essays, and unpublished musings by David McCullough.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
Again, as a parent, we’re edified to hear this — though a 700-calorie lunch is beyond the target for my high school freshman and her Ozempic journey.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for edify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for edify
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
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Several teachers on the staff have been a part of Ocean Week since its origins in 1993 including Halboth, Linda Tan and Christi Walter—all three are retiring this spring after giving 35 years of educating Rancho Santa Fe students.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Verb
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While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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And, if bright white pants aren’t your thing, keep reading for off-white styles inspired by Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Edify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edify. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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