quintessential

adjective

ˌkwin-tə-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce quintessential (audio)
Definition of quintessentialnext
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quintessential The shoes are the quintessential everyday pair thanks to their unfussy, low-profile silhouette and delicious leather uppers. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 The fresh, salty cheese is quintessential to Greek cuisine, and is served in everything from salads to phyllo dough pies from the city of Athens to the islands of the Cyclades. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 The bold color palette of Hathaway’s Aquazzura shoes spoke to a vibrant spin on the cap-toe heels trend, popularized by Chanel’s quintessential black and beige style introduced in 1957. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 This perfume combines the quintessential summer fruit with tonka bean, florals, plum nectar, and apple blossom for a truly memorable, sweet but not overly saccharine finish. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
  1. classic
  2. exemplary
  3. perfect
  4. archetypal
  5. definitive
  6. excellent
Adjective
  • Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Grand Suite shares all the design features and elegance of the classic rooms, and more.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • The two left tackles looked solid out in space blocking, but the pass protection didn’t seem exemplary.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Given that Furious has established a track record of taking excellent actors and then swiftly killing them by Catherine’s hand, this reveal might illustrate that Emma (the exemplary Hope Davis) is the next to go.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of exemplary
Adjective
  • Members of the search-and-rescue team who helped save the friends say the area is extremely treacherous and potentially dangerous even in daylight and perfect conditions.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • There is no perfect way to create player eligibility for a prospect ranking.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of perfect
Adjective
  • Even in the fixedness of their forms—their sententious certitude—a single work may conflate the erotic and the machinic, the vernacular and the archetypal, the abstract and the practical.
    — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Your practice has always moved between instinct and construction, intimacy and performance, the personal and the archetypal.
    — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of archetypal
Adjective
  • Two autopsies have been conducted, but neither have yielded a definitive public explanation for Nolan’s manner of death.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But a separate count by Colombia’s National Institute of Legal Medicine illustrates the continuing difficulty of establishing a definitive death toll.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of definitive
Adjective
  • Simashev is excellent defensively and on retrievals and tilts the ice in his favor.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As far as pop stars who happen to also be thoughtful and excellent songwriters go, Kahan is in the upper ranks.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

quintessences
quintessential
quintet
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Cite this Entry

“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quintessential

Nglish: Translation of quintessential for Spanish Speakers

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