Dignify: meaning, definitions and examples

Best used to give someone or something a sense of worth or respect, often by treating them in a more serious or respectful manner.

• By including her in the discussion, you dignify her contributions.
• The teacher attempted to dignify the students' efforts, regardless of the results.

Useful in contexts where you want to raise someone or something to a higher level or standard, either literally or metaphorically.

• This promotion will elevate your status within the company.
• The inspiring speech elevated my mood.

Commonly used when you want to add a sense of nobility or honor to someone or something, often implying a transformation or improvement in character.

• Volunteering for the charity work ennobled her spirit.
• The experience of adversity can ennoble a person.

Frequently used when you want to praise or honor someone or something, often to an excessive degree. This word can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it implies exaggeration.

• Some people glorify celebrities for their lifestyle.
• The movie tends to glorify violence, which is problematic.

Used when giving someone or something a sense of worth or honor, often by treating them with respect or importance.

• The teacher dignifies each student's efforts, no matter how small.
• He did not want to dignify the rude comment with a response.

Employed when raising someone or something to a higher status or level, either literally or metaphorically.

• The mayor's speech was meant to elevate community spirit.
• The new policy aims to elevate the quality of education in public schools.

Best used when describing the act of giving someone or something a noble quality or character, usually in a moral or ethical sense.

• The experience of helping others can ennoble a person's character.
• His actions ennobled the profession in the eyes of many.

Often used when praising or honoring someone or something to the point of exaggeration, sometimes with a negative connotation of making something seem better than it actually is.

• The magazine article glorified the actor's lifestyle to an unrealistic extent.
• We should not glorify war but remember the sacrifices made by soldiers.