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
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Example Sentences
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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
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
Noun
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Being bitten by Pirate Clark may have been a manifestation of Clark's deepest emotional wounds and desires — or maybe the monster just needed a meal.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
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Meanwhile, here are some other Bay Area manifestations of the Miles/Coltrane centennial.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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If Chartreuse is tasting the essence of the forest from Gaia’s own breast, then Fernet is more like shaking hands with the devil.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
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The last album began in essence as an experiment, to see if Dogstar had another chapter in them.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
29 May 2026
Noun
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While Paris is home to institutions like Harry’s Bar (which claims to be Europe’s first cocktail bar) and the birthplace of classics like the Prohibition-era Boulevardier, the city’s cocktail scene historically hasn't had the same edge as New York, London, or Singapore.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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For an edit of the best soft ballet flats on the market, scroll ahead—our favorites range from the edgy and cool to classics with fewer details and more functionality.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
Noun
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This latter-day diner is true to the genre, down to its Formica, chrome and gum-cracking soul, with breakfast understood as the apotheosis of the day and the almost supernaturally fluffy pancakes, anointed in syrup and salted honey-maple butter, available until closing time.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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After portraying Alabaster, down to his pearly-white surname, as the apotheosis of white male villainy, Cash deflates him by arguing, essentially, #NotAllMen.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The main building’s three Golden Hour suites come with private terraces, ideal for sunset views.—
Anya von Bremzen,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
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One side has calm, shallow water ideal for families and snorkeling.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Thinking about why gamers were worried about this new incarnation is pretty telling about our relationship to the character, and why this game is tough medicine.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
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This early history is tangible in century-old oaks, Cape Dutch gables and the 1767 wine cellar, but its current incarnation starts with the purchase by South African business magnate Dick Enthoven in 1993.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
Noun
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The department announced in May that Google, xAI and Microsoft had agreed to submit their AI models for security testing.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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Anthropic will offer the EU use of its cutting-edge Mythos AI model to plug cybersecurity holes.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The record of my thinking is right there in the open, teaching me tolerance for my fumbling, training me not to hide my struggle behind a seamless façade of digital perfection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
The neighborhood/area Old Port perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quintessence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessence. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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