as in to represent
to serve as a material counterpart of
the burned-out church emblematizes how the religious strife has destroyed that nation
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Recent Examples of emblematize
Rather than trading in chic fragrances and powerwear, the label is emblematized by striped beach towels and bags in Jacques Demy hues.
—
Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
The incident, caught on video by a bystander and quickly amplified on social media, came to emblematize a painful but familiar story in San Francisco.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Feb. 2023
Both Mulligan and Kazan are credible but can’t quite shake the film’s attempt to emblematize the journalists as icons.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Nov. 2022
Since her story first graced the big screen in 1926, the folk heroine has, under different interpretations over the course of a century, come to variously emblematize filial piety, patriotism, feminism and, perhaps inadvertently, cultural commodification.
—Martin Tsai, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2020
The trolley question is meant to emblematize tough decision-making for the purpose of moral deliberation; programming morality into our vehicles is a matter of deeper, almost mystical complexity.
—Betsy Morais, Longreads, 13 June 2018
The guests began to introduce themselves and deliver their tales of woe, each one seemingly handpicked to emblematize a different failure of the ACA.
—Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, 14 Mar. 2017
Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
The incident, caught on video by a bystander and quickly amplified on social media, came to emblematize a painful but familiar story in San Francisco.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Feb. 2023
Both Mulligan and Kazan are credible but can’t quite shake the film’s attempt to emblematize the journalists as icons.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Nov. 2022
Since her story first graced the big screen in 1926, the folk heroine has, under different interpretations over the course of a century, come to variously emblematize filial piety, patriotism, feminism and, perhaps inadvertently, cultural commodification.
—Martin Tsai, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2020
The trolley question is meant to emblematize tough decision-making for the purpose of moral deliberation; programming morality into our vehicles is a matter of deeper, almost mystical complexity.
—Betsy Morais, Longreads, 13 June 2018
The guests began to introduce themselves and deliver their tales of woe, each one seemingly handpicked to emblematize a different failure of the ACA.
—Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, 14 Mar. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emblematize
Verb
-
His law firm represents energy clients.—
William P. Barr,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
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Ideas expressed in the piece Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket represent a fundamentally problematic development that prioritizes profit over social responsibility.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Clapper illuminated the installation with lightning bolts to symbolize speed, protection and pride, and included a perforated skin mapping nearby streets.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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For decades, the phrase has symbolized the mythos of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency — and drawn criticism for glossing over parts of its history tied to racial violence and segregation.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emblematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emblematize. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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