What does "apotheosis" mean?
The fact or action of becoming or making into a god; deification.
Apotheosis
/əˌpɑ.θiˈoʊ.sɪs/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The fact or action of becoming or making into a god; deification.
- Grammar: apotheosis is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: deification, paragon, accolade, acme.
- Useful contrasts: base, desecration, low point.
- Usage evidence: The work is called "The Apotheosis of Washington", and it depicts George Washington, the first American president, being drawn to heaven.
How to use "apotheosis"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apotheosis" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apotheosis" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apotheosis" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apotheosis" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apotheosis" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "deification" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apotheosis", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The fact or action of becoming or making into a god; deification. countable, uncountable
"In Rome itself the official position was clear: the apotheosis of the emperor took place only after his death; this had to be officially recognized by the Senate, and only then did the emperor become a divus with an official cult."
- 2 the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god) wordnet
- 3 Glorification, exaltation; crediting someone or something with extraordinary power or status. countable, uncountable
"The turn of the century saw the apotheosis of digital technology."
- 4 model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal wordnet
- 5 A glorified example or ideal; the apex or pinnacle (of a concept or belief). countable, uncountable
"In his despair he had nowhere to turn. It is the very apotheosis of the place and the time."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 The best moment or highest point in the development of something, for example of a life or career; the apex, culmination, or climax (of a development). countable, uncountable
"The apotheosis of her career was her appointment as chairman."
- 7 Release from earthly life, ascension to heaven; death. broadly, countable, uncountable
"Bear thee grimly, demigod! Up from the spray of thy ocean-perishing — straight up, leaps thy apotheosis!"
- 8 The latent entity that mediates between a person's psyche and their thoughts. The id, ego and superego in Freudian Psychology are examples of this. countable, uncountable
Antonyms
Example
"The work is called "The Apotheosis of Washington", and it depicts George Washington, the first American president, being drawn to heaven."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apotheosis"?
Common synonyms include: deification, paragon, accolade, acme, acme, admiration.
How do you use "apotheosis" in a sentence?
The work is called "The Apotheosis of Washington", and it depicts George Washington, the first American president, being drawn to heaven.
How do you pronounce "apotheosis"?
Pronounced /əˌpɑ.θiˈoʊ.sɪs/.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Hellenic *apó Ancient Greek ᾰ̓πό (ăpó) Ancient Greek ἀπο- (apo-) Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁s Proto-Hellenic *tʰehós Ancient Greek θεός (theós) Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-oyétider.? Ancient Greek -όω (-óō) Ancient Greek ἀποθεόω (apotheóō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Ancient Greek -τις (-tis) Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Ancient Greek ἀποθέωσις (apothéōsis)bor. Latin apotheōsisbor. English apotheosis Borrowed from Latin apotheōsis, from Ancient Greek ἀποθέωσις (apothéōsis), from verb ἀποθεόω (apotheóō, “deify”) (factitive verb formed from θεός (theós, “God”) with intensive prefix ἀπο- (apo-)) + -σις (-sis, “forms noun of action”). By surface analysis, apo- + theo- + -sis.