quintessence

noun

kwin-ˈte-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce quintessence (audio)
Definition of quintessencenext
1
as in manifestation
the most perfect type or example the Parthenon in Greece was considered the quintessence of the perfectly proportioned building

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is a selfless desire to help others is the quintessence of the virtue of charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 quintessence That’s partly because punk, with its assaultive immediacy and defiant not-niceness, now seems like the quintessence of the pre-digital world. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 July 2022 To some, quintessence was a subtle substance found in some degree in each of the other four elements. — Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2021 To test whether dark energy is caused by quintessence or the cosmological constant, scientists must determine whether the strength of dark energy has changed over time. — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021 But Frieman hopes new data may reveal something more exotic, such as a mysterious substance called quintessence, which some scientists have proposed could explain the accelerating expansion of the universe. — Ramin Skibba, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2020 See All Example Sentences for quintessence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessence
  1. manifestation
  2. essence
  3. classic
  4. apotheosis
  5. ideal
  6. incarnation
  7. model
  8. perfection
Noun
  • Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini You were deeply affected by a Yoplait Light commercial as a youth and consider this suit to be the physical manifestation of confidence.
    — Madeline Goetz, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But the competition for the Golden Lion and the festival’s other awards is only the start of Venice’s wide-ranging embrace of the art of cinema in its many manifestations.
    — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of manifestation
Noun
  • Plan ample time before or after a treatment to make good use of the luxurious hot springs here, since this town’s world-famous mineral water is really the essence of your visit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The scent wraps rose water, Damascena rose essence and absolute, and centifolia rose in soft, sweet notes of green almond, pink raspberry, and a touch of mauve violet.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • Setting the film on the Canadian frontier rather than the American sets it apart from its peers, and the more languid pacing and character-driven plotting continue to distinguish it as a mannered classic.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On Thursday, the actor famous for originating the role of Ash in Sam Raimi’s 1981 horror cult classic reiterated that he’s retired from playing the role, following his starring three-season run in Starz’s Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-’18).
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of classic
Noun
  • The story of theory, from its birth in France to its unlikely apotheosis in America, is a tale rich not just in ideas but—ironically, given the Frenchmen’s generally antihumanist stance—human drama.
    — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • The millenia-old quest to control fire may be nearing its apotheosis as technology has finally come for some one of the oldest cooking techniques out there.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of apotheosis
Noun
  • In 2026, the spectacle of world-class athletes breaking down in sweltering conditions became the latest sign that the Continent’s rapid warming is bringing that ideal to an end.
    — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Ocampo has demonstrated, as has Karim Kahn, that uncontrolled authority, whether in the name of justice or any other ideal, can result in travesty if not outright tragedy.
    — Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of ideal
Noun
  • But the modern incarnation is largely a product of the pandemic, with theft quadrupling from levels seen before 2020.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Some 1,600 episodes of the puppet show will be restored, as a CGI incarnation of the property enters development and will be shopped to buyers at MIPCOM in October.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of incarnation
Noun
  • Muso’s model of proactive community healthcare is showing what becomes possible when care moves closer to families.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Hugging Face's latest report highlights a rapidly expanding community distribution layer for open models, converting raw weights into runnable formats like GGUF.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of model
Noun
  • But their exceptional sound only doubles down on that, which uses algorithms to bring their sound processing pretty darn close to perfection.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The season is coming to a close, yes, but the water is at its warmest, the farmstand fruit is at its sweetest, and the temperatures, once far too high, have usually cooled down to the high 70s and low 80s (perfection).
    — Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of perfection

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Cite this Entry

“Quintessence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessence. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of quintessence for Spanish Speakers

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