personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce personify (audio)
personified; personifying
Synonyms of personify

transitive verb

1
: to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers
2
: to be the embodiment or personification of : incarnate
a teacher who personified patience
personifier
pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce personify (audio)
noun

Synonyms of personify

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Examples of personify in a Sentence

The ancient Greeks personified the forces of nature as gods and goddesses. Justice is personified as a woman with her eyes covered.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even though Miami’s inside linebacker spot had been decimated by injuries, and the overall roster lacks playmakers (which Dodson was), and experience (43 NFL starts), that decision personifies what this season will be about. — Omar Kelly august 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 These are the burgers, soups, sandwiches, pastries and more that best personify the region’s delicious, diverse dining scene. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Save for Snoopy, the military airman in literature is perhaps most famously personified by John Yossarian in Joseph Heller’s Catch‑22, a book Zinn would someday count among his favorites. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 With a soothing neutral color palette and elegant touches like custom cathedral ceilings, the house personifies modern luxury. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for personify

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of personify was in 1728

Rhymes for personify

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Browse Nearby Words

personifier
personify
personize
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Cite this Entry

“Personify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personify. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

personify

verb
per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsän-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce personify (audio)
personified; personifying
1
: to think of or represent as a person
personify the forces of nature
2
: to be the perfect example of
she personified kindness
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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