epitomize
verb
epit·o·mize
i-ˈpi-tə-ˌmīz 
epitomized; epitomizing
1
: to serve as the typical or ideal example of
Memorial Day might be the unofficial start to summer, but the Fourth of July is the holiday that most epitomizes it.—
Chris Morris
Chris Morris2
: to make or give an epitome of
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 on the Web
In his new book, Willing Warriors, Hlavacik argues that the episode epitomizes how culture wars have distorted the politics of education in the United States.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
Florida epitomizes the problem of soaring property values.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Visually, Mitchell’s images are sumptuous, stylish, and seductive, channelling the old-school photographic glamour epitomized by Richard Avedon, one of Mitchell’s idols.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025
Perhaps that is why tartan continues to epitomize such a rich sense of place and home, even for those of us without a trace of Scottish ancestry.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epitomize
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.
Jonathan Zimmerman, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
Florida epitomizes the problem of soaring property values.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Visually, Mitchell’s images are sumptuous, stylish, and seductive, channelling the old-school photographic glamour epitomized by Richard Avedon, one of Mitchell’s idols.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025
Perhaps that is why tartan continues to epitomize such a rich sense of place and home, even for those of us without a trace of Scottish ancestry.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epitomize
Cite this Entry
“Epitomize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epitomize. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
epitomize
verb
epit·o·mize
i-ˈpit-ə-ˌmīz
epitomized; epitomizing
: to make or serve as an epitome of
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share