as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
he's the personification of kindness
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Recent Examples of personification
This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
And there's this real sense of personification of those trees.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 6 Jan. 2026
Inside the furnace of Borglum’s imagination, Rushmore had become perhaps the purest artistic representation of America’s political system, its symbol of freedom and democracy, the personification of visual Americana.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
The next mentor that Michele introduced me to, Sharon Osborne, is also the personification of strength and grace.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for personification
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
And there's this real sense of personification of those trees.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 6 Jan. 2026
Inside the furnace of Borglum’s imagination, Rushmore had become perhaps the purest artistic representation of America’s political system, its symbol of freedom and democracy, the personification of visual Americana.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
The next mentor that Michele introduced me to, Sharon Osborne, is also the personification of strength and grace.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for personification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personification
Noun
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There are a few different ways to interpret this most recent manifestation of the Administration’s talent for hypocrisy.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Perhaps some paper manifestations just in time for the year of the Fire Horse.—
Xuan Juliana Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the end, Hulu opted not to proceed with it but remains high on the Buffy IP and plans to regroup and mull a possible new incarnation of the beloved franchise.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
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Its latest incarnation began when writer Richard Hatch and his artist wife, Suanne, reopened the old blue building in 1992.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well the Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships carrying the Marines, are based in Japan and have been in the Pacific Ocean for several days, according to images released by the military.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Much like the movie itself, the images captured by Jima on set are spare and enigmatic.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Personification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personification. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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