dignify
verb
dig·ni·fy ˈdig-nə-ˌfī 
dignified; dignifying
transitive verb
1
: to give distinction to : ennoble
2
: to confer dignity upon
also : to give undue attention or status to
won't dignify that remark with a reply
Synonyms
- aggrandize
- canonize
- deify
- elevate
- ennoble
- enshrine
- ensky
- enthrone
- exalt
- glorify
- magnify
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She felt that formal clothing would help dignify the occasion. He said he wouldn't dignify his opponents' accusations by responding to them.
Recent Examples on the Web The news is expected to be broken in a careful, somber manner, with hosts wearing black to dignify the importance of what has happened. 
Claire Parker, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The idea is to dignify our culture and make people feel proud of our mexicanidad. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 But at a moment when democracy itself is under assault, Mr. Youngkin chose to dignify a fundamental fiction that is subverting our system, rather than stand up squarely for the truth. Fox News, 5 July 2022 While anyone might feel an urge to push for that fundraiser, Heart of Dinner's team wanted to dignify the man’s wishes. Karissa Chen, Bon Appétit, 31 May 2022 Who decided—in a very few seconds—the weapon formed against them didn’t dignify a response? Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 25 Mar. 2022 In more recent years, Alfred Molina’s melancholic, David Suchet’s soulful innocent and John Malkovich’s penitent exile sought to dignify him. Bonnie Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2022 Who wanted to dignify such dumb scenarios with sober analyses? Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2022 Slaughter was always searching in those days for ways to dignify the title and elevate the women who won it. Amy Argetsinger, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2021 See More
Claire Parker, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The idea is to dignify our culture and make people feel proud of our mexicanidad. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 But at a moment when democracy itself is under assault, Mr. Youngkin chose to dignify a fundamental fiction that is subverting our system, rather than stand up squarely for the truth. Fox News, 5 July 2022 While anyone might feel an urge to push for that fundraiser, Heart of Dinner's team wanted to dignify the man’s wishes. Karissa Chen, Bon Appétit, 31 May 2022 Who decided—in a very few seconds—the weapon formed against them didn’t dignify a response? Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 25 Mar. 2022 In more recent years, Alfred Molina’s melancholic, David Suchet’s soulful innocent and John Malkovich’s penitent exile sought to dignify him. Bonnie Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2022 Who wanted to dignify such dumb scenarios with sober analyses? Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2022 Slaughter was always searching in those days for ways to dignify the title and elevate the women who won it. Amy Argetsinger, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English dignifien, from Middle French dignifier, from Late Latin dignificare, from Latin dignus worthy — more at decent
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
dignify
verb
dig·ni·fy ˈdig-nə-ˌfī
dignified; dignifying
1
: to give dignity or importance to
She felt formal clothes would dignify the occasion.
2
: to treat with respect or seriousness that is not deserved
… our cay was so small that the charts wouldn't even dignify it with a name. Theodore Taylor, The Cay
Theodore Taylor, The Caydignifying
verb
as in elevating
to assign a high status or value to our graduation ceremony was dignified by a visit from the mayor Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- elevating
- promoting
- ennobling
- exalting
- aggrandizing
- deifying
- lifting
- enthroning
- glorifying
- praising
- enshrining
- canonizing
- uplifting
- honoring
- magnifying
- raising
- idealizing
- upgrading
- boosting
- lauding
- acclaiming
- heightening
- romanticizing
- enskying
- intensifying
- sanitizing
- extolling
- sugarcoating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- degrading
- humiliating
- humbling
- demeaning
- minimizing
- disparaging
- belittling
- detracting
- abasing
- depreciating
- decrying