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Glite Dictionary
to epitomize

to epitomize

22 7.3
A perfect example that shows the main qualities of something
  • verb
  • /ɪˈpɪtəˌmaɪz/
translation icon : encarnar
  • The design of the new museum epitomizes modern architecture with its clean lines and innovative features.
  • epitomizes the city
  • epitomizes culture
  • epitomizes art

Let me close by pointing you to three quotations which for me epitomized the course.

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Examples

  • Her performance epitomized the essence of classical ballet, showcasing grace and precision.

  • She just, um, epitomizes a strong woman who speaks her mind doesn't care what anybody else thinks.

    Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2017)

  • This to me epitomizes the character of Clinton.

  • Now, Michelle, she epitomizes what it means to not judge a book by its cover.

  • Like the memory of a perfect camping trip, it epitomized the bond between father and son.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Allen Guttmann's publications most clearly epitomize the best of this social science approach to sport history.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The men of Apollo epitomize the character that accepts danger and surmounts it.

    Apollo 18 (2011)

  • Harvard with Veritas perhaps best epitomizes this idea.

  • This year's symposium epitomizes how the Institute sees its role within Harvard.

  • And of all of them, Jen Shelton is the one who I think most epitomizes the Second Tribe.

Synonyms

to represent
vsto epitomize
647 3.4

Be an example of a group, quality, or part of a total

is stronger, meaning a perfect example rather than a typical one
to capture
vsto epitomize
255 3.4

To show an idea, feeling, or quality clearly

is narrower, indicating a single perfect example rather than general representation
to embody
vsto epitomize
104 5.1

Show an idea, quality or feeling in a clear visible way

is about being the ideal example that contains those main characteristics
to exemplify
vsto epitomize
  • Formal
45 6.8

To show something clearly by using a real situation

is used for being the perfect or typical model rather than just illustrating
to personify
vsto epitomize
27 6.1

To describe an idea or thing as if it were a human

is different, focusing on being an ideal example not assigning human traits
to typify
vsto epitomize
12 5.8

Show the common features of a group or type

is stronger, focusing on being an outstanding or perfect instance
to capture the essence
vsto epitomize
9 5.1

To show the most important qualities of something

is about being the complete example that shows those main qualities

How Exemplary

to epitomize
22 7.3
to exemplify
  • Formal
45 6.8
to embody
104 5.1
to represent
395 3.4

Surface Forms

epitomize infinitive
epitomized past
epitomized past participle
epitomizing present participle
epitomizes third person singular

Morphology

epitomize = epitome (transparent) = epitome + ize

The verb 'epitomize' is transparently derived from the noun 'epitome' with the addition of the suffix '-ize', indicating the action of embodying the qualities of an epitome.

Etymology

Epitomize comes from Greek parts epi- 'into' and -tome 'cut', and you can see the same root in tome, a word for a big book. Imagine a small 'cut' that shows the most important parts of something. So to epitomize is to be a perfect example or to 'sum up' the whole.