Is there an antonym for the adjective “edifying”?

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Is there an antonym for the adjective “edifying”? The reason being, I've been trying to find a suitable translation for the Italian word "diseducativo", but so far have found none.



Dictionaries give the following translation of the word "diseducativo":



  • morally corrupting, negatively influencing;


  • contributing to bad upbringing, educationally harmful.


I know the immediate opposite of "edifying" should be "unedifying", but according to all definitions this last simply means, not having the result of improving morality, intellect, etc.



However, the word "diseducativo" evokes something worse than that. It actually counters the edifying process. It is used to refer to someone or something, like a role model or a tv show that has a bad influence on moral beliefs. Not simply "not edifying", but rather "counter-edifying"; a word that doesn't exist though.



The word "diseducativo" can also be mistaken for the opposite of the English word "educative" (or its more used synonym "educational") which is the rare word "antieducational", opposing the provision of knowledge.
The thing is, for some reason, the word "diseducativo" is not simply related to knowledge or instruction, but, as I mentioned above, to moral beliefs and upbringing.



Now, let me also add this funny thing I came across in my research. On Vocabulary.com I found the related verb "to instill" (normally positive beliefs and values on someone). And the explanation says:
"Parents work hard to develop, or instill, positive beliefs and values in their children. Interestingly, there's no corresponding word for when parents pass down their bad habits."










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  • You ask about an Italian word, which could be off topic. Have you looked up antonymns of edify?
    – Weather Vane
    1 hour ago







  • 1




    I'm not asking about an Italian word. I only mentioned one in order to add more details and better explain the English word I'm looking for, which I'm afraid doesn't exist.
    – Francesco Di Giuseppe
    1 hour ago










  • He asks about an English word, "the opposite to edifying" and gives the italian as an example of why he thinks that such a word would exist. Well asked and on topic]
    – James K
    1 hour ago










  • @JamesK throughout the question OP asks for a translation of diseducativo.
    – Weather Vane
    58 mins ago










  • Regardless of the Italian word or the English word, you have mentioned two different meanings. (And edifying has two different meanings.) It's very likely you'll never find a single word that means the opposite of both meanings. You seem to lean more toward causing immorality or bad behaviour—but it's not entirely clear if you're ruling out causing confusion or giving misinformation.
    – Jason Bassford
    50 mins ago
















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












Is there an antonym for the adjective “edifying”? The reason being, I've been trying to find a suitable translation for the Italian word "diseducativo", but so far have found none.



Dictionaries give the following translation of the word "diseducativo":



  • morally corrupting, negatively influencing;


  • contributing to bad upbringing, educationally harmful.


I know the immediate opposite of "edifying" should be "unedifying", but according to all definitions this last simply means, not having the result of improving morality, intellect, etc.



However, the word "diseducativo" evokes something worse than that. It actually counters the edifying process. It is used to refer to someone or something, like a role model or a tv show that has a bad influence on moral beliefs. Not simply "not edifying", but rather "counter-edifying"; a word that doesn't exist though.



The word "diseducativo" can also be mistaken for the opposite of the English word "educative" (or its more used synonym "educational") which is the rare word "antieducational", opposing the provision of knowledge.
The thing is, for some reason, the word "diseducativo" is not simply related to knowledge or instruction, but, as I mentioned above, to moral beliefs and upbringing.



Now, let me also add this funny thing I came across in my research. On Vocabulary.com I found the related verb "to instill" (normally positive beliefs and values on someone). And the explanation says:
"Parents work hard to develop, or instill, positive beliefs and values in their children. Interestingly, there's no corresponding word for when parents pass down their bad habits."










share|improve this question























  • You ask about an Italian word, which could be off topic. Have you looked up antonymns of edify?
    – Weather Vane
    1 hour ago







  • 1




    I'm not asking about an Italian word. I only mentioned one in order to add more details and better explain the English word I'm looking for, which I'm afraid doesn't exist.
    – Francesco Di Giuseppe
    1 hour ago










  • He asks about an English word, "the opposite to edifying" and gives the italian as an example of why he thinks that such a word would exist. Well asked and on topic]
    – James K
    1 hour ago










  • @JamesK throughout the question OP asks for a translation of diseducativo.
    – Weather Vane
    58 mins ago










  • Regardless of the Italian word or the English word, you have mentioned two different meanings. (And edifying has two different meanings.) It's very likely you'll never find a single word that means the opposite of both meanings. You seem to lean more toward causing immorality or bad behaviour—but it's not entirely clear if you're ruling out causing confusion or giving misinformation.
    – Jason Bassford
    50 mins ago












up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











Is there an antonym for the adjective “edifying”? The reason being, I've been trying to find a suitable translation for the Italian word "diseducativo", but so far have found none.



Dictionaries give the following translation of the word "diseducativo":



  • morally corrupting, negatively influencing;


  • contributing to bad upbringing, educationally harmful.


I know the immediate opposite of "edifying" should be "unedifying", but according to all definitions this last simply means, not having the result of improving morality, intellect, etc.



However, the word "diseducativo" evokes something worse than that. It actually counters the edifying process. It is used to refer to someone or something, like a role model or a tv show that has a bad influence on moral beliefs. Not simply "not edifying", but rather "counter-edifying"; a word that doesn't exist though.



The word "diseducativo" can also be mistaken for the opposite of the English word "educative" (or its more used synonym "educational") which is the rare word "antieducational", opposing the provision of knowledge.
The thing is, for some reason, the word "diseducativo" is not simply related to knowledge or instruction, but, as I mentioned above, to moral beliefs and upbringing.



Now, let me also add this funny thing I came across in my research. On Vocabulary.com I found the related verb "to instill" (normally positive beliefs and values on someone). And the explanation says:
"Parents work hard to develop, or instill, positive beliefs and values in their children. Interestingly, there's no corresponding word for when parents pass down their bad habits."










share|improve this question















Is there an antonym for the adjective “edifying”? The reason being, I've been trying to find a suitable translation for the Italian word "diseducativo", but so far have found none.



Dictionaries give the following translation of the word "diseducativo":



  • morally corrupting, negatively influencing;


  • contributing to bad upbringing, educationally harmful.


I know the immediate opposite of "edifying" should be "unedifying", but according to all definitions this last simply means, not having the result of improving morality, intellect, etc.



However, the word "diseducativo" evokes something worse than that. It actually counters the edifying process. It is used to refer to someone or something, like a role model or a tv show that has a bad influence on moral beliefs. Not simply "not edifying", but rather "counter-edifying"; a word that doesn't exist though.



The word "diseducativo" can also be mistaken for the opposite of the English word "educative" (or its more used synonym "educational") which is the rare word "antieducational", opposing the provision of knowledge.
The thing is, for some reason, the word "diseducativo" is not simply related to knowledge or instruction, but, as I mentioned above, to moral beliefs and upbringing.



Now, let me also add this funny thing I came across in my research. On Vocabulary.com I found the related verb "to instill" (normally positive beliefs and values on someone). And the explanation says:
"Parents work hard to develop, or instill, positive beliefs and values in their children. Interestingly, there's no corresponding word for when parents pass down their bad habits."







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edited 1 hour ago

























asked 1 hour ago









Francesco Di Giuseppe

418112




418112











  • You ask about an Italian word, which could be off topic. Have you looked up antonymns of edify?
    – Weather Vane
    1 hour ago







  • 1




    I'm not asking about an Italian word. I only mentioned one in order to add more details and better explain the English word I'm looking for, which I'm afraid doesn't exist.
    – Francesco Di Giuseppe
    1 hour ago










  • He asks about an English word, "the opposite to edifying" and gives the italian as an example of why he thinks that such a word would exist. Well asked and on topic]
    – James K
    1 hour ago










  • @JamesK throughout the question OP asks for a translation of diseducativo.
    – Weather Vane
    58 mins ago










  • Regardless of the Italian word or the English word, you have mentioned two different meanings. (And edifying has two different meanings.) It's very likely you'll never find a single word that means the opposite of both meanings. You seem to lean more toward causing immorality or bad behaviour—but it's not entirely clear if you're ruling out causing confusion or giving misinformation.
    – Jason Bassford
    50 mins ago
















  • You ask about an Italian word, which could be off topic. Have you looked up antonymns of edify?
    – Weather Vane
    1 hour ago







  • 1




    I'm not asking about an Italian word. I only mentioned one in order to add more details and better explain the English word I'm looking for, which I'm afraid doesn't exist.
    – Francesco Di Giuseppe
    1 hour ago










  • He asks about an English word, "the opposite to edifying" and gives the italian as an example of why he thinks that such a word would exist. Well asked and on topic]
    – James K
    1 hour ago










  • @JamesK throughout the question OP asks for a translation of diseducativo.
    – Weather Vane
    58 mins ago










  • Regardless of the Italian word or the English word, you have mentioned two different meanings. (And edifying has two different meanings.) It's very likely you'll never find a single word that means the opposite of both meanings. You seem to lean more toward causing immorality or bad behaviour—but it's not entirely clear if you're ruling out causing confusion or giving misinformation.
    – Jason Bassford
    50 mins ago















You ask about an Italian word, which could be off topic. Have you looked up antonymns of edify?
– Weather Vane
1 hour ago





You ask about an Italian word, which could be off topic. Have you looked up antonymns of edify?
– Weather Vane
1 hour ago





1




1




I'm not asking about an Italian word. I only mentioned one in order to add more details and better explain the English word I'm looking for, which I'm afraid doesn't exist.
– Francesco Di Giuseppe
1 hour ago




I'm not asking about an Italian word. I only mentioned one in order to add more details and better explain the English word I'm looking for, which I'm afraid doesn't exist.
– Francesco Di Giuseppe
1 hour ago












He asks about an English word, "the opposite to edifying" and gives the italian as an example of why he thinks that such a word would exist. Well asked and on topic]
– James K
1 hour ago




He asks about an English word, "the opposite to edifying" and gives the italian as an example of why he thinks that such a word would exist. Well asked and on topic]
– James K
1 hour ago












@JamesK throughout the question OP asks for a translation of diseducativo.
– Weather Vane
58 mins ago




@JamesK throughout the question OP asks for a translation of diseducativo.
– Weather Vane
58 mins ago












Regardless of the Italian word or the English word, you have mentioned two different meanings. (And edifying has two different meanings.) It's very likely you'll never find a single word that means the opposite of both meanings. You seem to lean more toward causing immorality or bad behaviour—but it's not entirely clear if you're ruling out causing confusion or giving misinformation.
– Jason Bassford
50 mins ago




Regardless of the Italian word or the English word, you have mentioned two different meanings. (And edifying has two different meanings.) It's very likely you'll never find a single word that means the opposite of both meanings. You seem to lean more toward causing immorality or bad behaviour—but it's not entirely clear if you're ruling out causing confusion or giving misinformation.
– Jason Bassford
50 mins ago










2 Answers
2






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3
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Corrupting or (stronger) depraved/depraving seem to carry the sense you need.




This is an obscene book that would deprave anyone who has to read it.







share|improve this answer




















  • I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
    – Andrew
    37 mins ago

















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2
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If we are primarily discussing the moral effect, debasing is the first thing that comes to mind. It could apply to intellectual effects, but the primary sense is moral. Of course, "edify" is primarily about morality as well, but the idea is that as you learn, you become more moral.



Actually corrupting is also a great synonym on the moral side.



It's not normally possible to take education (knowledge) from someone unless you mislead them.






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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

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    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Corrupting or (stronger) depraved/depraving seem to carry the sense you need.




    This is an obscene book that would deprave anyone who has to read it.







    share|improve this answer




















    • I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
      – Andrew
      37 mins ago














    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Corrupting or (stronger) depraved/depraving seem to carry the sense you need.




    This is an obscene book that would deprave anyone who has to read it.







    share|improve this answer




















    • I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
      – Andrew
      37 mins ago












    up vote
    3
    down vote










    up vote
    3
    down vote









    Corrupting or (stronger) depraved/depraving seem to carry the sense you need.




    This is an obscene book that would deprave anyone who has to read it.







    share|improve this answer












    Corrupting or (stronger) depraved/depraving seem to carry the sense you need.




    This is an obscene book that would deprave anyone who has to read it.








    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 1 hour ago









    James K

    29.8k13580




    29.8k13580











    • I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
      – Andrew
      37 mins ago
















    • I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
      – Andrew
      37 mins ago















    I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
    – Andrew
    37 mins ago




    I don't know why, but I can't recall ever seeing deprave used as a verb. It's in the dictionary, though.
    – Andrew
    37 mins ago












    up vote
    2
    down vote













    If we are primarily discussing the moral effect, debasing is the first thing that comes to mind. It could apply to intellectual effects, but the primary sense is moral. Of course, "edify" is primarily about morality as well, but the idea is that as you learn, you become more moral.



    Actually corrupting is also a great synonym on the moral side.



    It's not normally possible to take education (knowledge) from someone unless you mislead them.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      If we are primarily discussing the moral effect, debasing is the first thing that comes to mind. It could apply to intellectual effects, but the primary sense is moral. Of course, "edify" is primarily about morality as well, but the idea is that as you learn, you become more moral.



      Actually corrupting is also a great synonym on the moral side.



      It's not normally possible to take education (knowledge) from someone unless you mislead them.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        2
        down vote










        up vote
        2
        down vote









        If we are primarily discussing the moral effect, debasing is the first thing that comes to mind. It could apply to intellectual effects, but the primary sense is moral. Of course, "edify" is primarily about morality as well, but the idea is that as you learn, you become more moral.



        Actually corrupting is also a great synonym on the moral side.



        It's not normally possible to take education (knowledge) from someone unless you mislead them.






        share|improve this answer












        If we are primarily discussing the moral effect, debasing is the first thing that comes to mind. It could apply to intellectual effects, but the primary sense is moral. Of course, "edify" is primarily about morality as well, but the idea is that as you learn, you become more moral.



        Actually corrupting is also a great synonym on the moral side.



        It's not normally possible to take education (knowledge) from someone unless you mislead them.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 58 mins ago









        farnsy

        2,154115




        2,154115



























             

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