epitomize

verb epit·o·mize \ i-ˈpi-tə-ˌmīz \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: epitomize in a Sentence

Definition of epitomize

epitomized; epitomizing

transitive verb

1 : to serve as the typical or ideal example of

2 : to make or give an epitome of

See epitomize defined for English-language learners

See epitomize defined for kids

Examples of epitomize in a Sentence

This student's struggles epitomize the trouble with our schools.
his personal code of behavior on the playing field is epitomized by his favorite saying, “Nice guys finish last”

Recent Examples of epitomize from the Web

The Cosby trial was a case study in the challenges black women face in their activism The Cosby trial in many ways epitomized the unique challenges black women encounter in anti-rape activism.

— treva b. lindsey, Vox, "Bill Cosby’s guilty verdict was made possible by decades of activism by black women," 26 Apr. 2018
Few countries today epitomize this new reality as clearly as the Philippines, the social-media capital of the world, with a norm-breaking president whose campaign supporters harnessed this shifting online landscape to win the election.

— jessica mendoza, The Christian Science Monitor, "In the Philippines, divided politics feed – and feed on – a divided web," 9 Apr. 2018
The Look: Bacall's deep part and polished waves epitomize Old Hollywood glamour.

— Vogue, "The Best Wedding Hair Styles of All Time, From Brigitte Bardot to Diana Ross," 6 Feb. 2018
That shooting percentage was in part a function of simple, smart plays, and no one more epitomized that than rookie point guard Devonte Graham.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Why 'simple' equals special in the new Charlotte Hornets lexicon," 8 July 2018
That iciness epitomized the session that was created simply because the fighters couldn’t stand to be in the same room with each other.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin's cold war is real," 3 July 2018
The 2016 hair incident epitomized an eager-to-please style that valued games and stunts over substance, which served Fallon well before Trump's political arrival but hasn't resonated at a time when avoiding controversy doesn't always pay dividends.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "Comedy scorecard: Winners and losers in the Trump era," 27 June 2018
Trey Mancini epitomized the frustration of the Orioles these days, emphatically removing his helmet with both hands and slamming it on the ground after stranding the tying run on third base in the seventh inning Saturday afternoon.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles drop season-high ninth straight, 5-4 to Marlins," 16 June 2018
The realization epitomized our new relationship with the Earth.

— fred pearce, Time, "How the 'Compulsive Secrecy’ of the Atomic Age Has Changed the Way We Think," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epitomize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of epitomize

1594

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

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epitomize Synonyms

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

EPITOMIZE Defined for English Language Learners

epitomize

verb

Definition of epitomize for English Language Learners

: to be a perfect example or representation of (something) : to be the epitome of (something)

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See words that rhyme with epitomize Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for epitomize Spanish Central: Translation of epitomize Nglish: Translation of epitomize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of epitomize for Arabic speakers

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epitomize

Definition of epitomize

Examples of epitomize in a Sentence

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First Known Use of epitomize

epitomize Synonyms

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EPITOMIZE Defined for English Language Learners

epitomize

Definition of epitomize for English Language Learners

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First Known Use of epitomize

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EPITOMIZE Defined for English Language Learners

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