Meaning
- Dignify means to make something or someone seem worthy, honorable, or important.
- It can also mean to honor or give respect to something that might otherwise not deserve it.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb (transitive)
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Common structures:
- dignify + object
- dignify sth with sth (to give importance or seriousness to something)
Examples of patterns:
- "She didn’t want to dignify his rude comment with a reply."
- "The ceremony dignified the achievements of the volunteers."
Common Phrases
- dignify with a response
- dignify with attention
- dignify the occasion
Collocations
- dignify a reply
- dignify an action
- dignify a ceremony
- dignify an office
- dignify a comment
Examples
- The teacher refused to dignify the silly remark with an answer.
- His calm behavior dignified the entire event.
- She didn’t want to dignify the rumors by responding to them.
- The award ceremony dignified the contributions of community leaders.
- It would be a mistake to dignify such behavior with serious discussion.
- The memorial service dignified the lives lost in the disaster.
- He tried to dignify his actions by calling them “necessary.”
Synonyms or Related
- honor
- ennoble
- glorify
- elevate
- respect
Antonym
- belittle
- degrade
- demean
- dishonor