noun

apotheosis

uh-pah-thee-OH-sis/əˌpɑːθiˈəʊsɪs/

Elevation to the highest or divine status.

The mural depicts the ruler’s apotheosis among the gods.

An imagined mural shows a mortal ruler ascending toward classical gods and receiving a radiant crown.

Etymology

apoGreekchange

+theoGreekgod

+sisGreekaction or process

The pieces describe the process of making someone a god. From this original sense of deification, the word extends to something elevated to the highest or most perfect embodiment of its kind.

In context

Some Books Considered8:03

we were sort of the apotheosis of perfection, we us humans. Um but sort of what he considered to be lower, lesser creatures like insects actually were imperfect.

"Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History" by Oren Harman

More examples

The final symphony was the apotheosis of his artistic career.
The ceremony celebrated the ruler's apotheosis.
Critics called the palace the apotheosis of royal extravagance.

Forms

apotheosis · apotheoses

Similar words

deification: Specifically makes someone a god rather than a supreme example.
culmination: The final high point without implying divine or ideal status.