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
  • The hotel just opened, so maybe that’s what accounts for it, but there’s a real atmosphere of excitement, and the staff seems to want to represent the greatest manifestation of the Four Seasons brand.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The curtain that officials brought down to prevent witnesses seeing Pike’s suffering is merely the visible manifestation of a process that is hidden from voters by design.
    — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of manifestation
Noun
  • The bones, essence, and layering of that apartment form a mini masterclass in design.
    — Kelly Allen, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the morning, reach for your cleanser or simply rinse the skin with water, then proceed with a hydrating serum or essence (if desired), moisturizer, and SPF.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • For first-timers seeking big Catskills scenery, the Escarpment Trail to Kaaterskill Falls is the classic, with dramatic overlooks and waterfalls that explain why people have been coming to these mountains for generations.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Pocket Books and Penguin Books therefore specialized in classics that were in the public domain and in reprinting commercial and genre fiction, primarily mysteries, science fiction, and Westerns.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of classic
Noun
  • The first two Democratic Presidents during the Valley’s apotheosis, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, presented themselves as technology-friendly futurists, and the Valley supported their campaigns and helped staff their Administrations.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of apotheosis
Noun
  • The ongoing spat with the US has resonated with swing voters who lean right and embrace nationalist ideals.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Chicago Blackhawks were coming off a less-than-ideal season opener to Vegas, where the Stanley Cup runner-ups cruised to a 5-2 win.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ideal
Noun
  • Bad news for fans of Ted Lasso‘s original Richmond men’s team who have been holding out hope for a larger presence of the players in the show’s new incarnation.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But against her current longer hair, this latest incarnation feels newly sharp.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of incarnation
Noun
  • Trust took another nosedive when OpenAI’s agents attacked Hugging Face this summer and, in a world-first, a rogue model hacked the Australian Government’s website.
    — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Future product expansion for Scout For now, the Traveler and the Terra models are the main priority.
    — Chase Jordan October 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of model
Noun
  • While Indiana and Hoover are striving for perfection as the program aims to defend its national title, TCU is just hoping to score more than two touchdowns against a Power Four opponent.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Possibly, but Sheridan is famously focused on perfection and crafting a compelling story.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfection

Browse Nearby Words

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quintessence
quintessences
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Cite this Entry

“Quintessence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessence. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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