The key idea of the word embodiment is packed right into the middle of the term itself: body. This noun is used to talk about a person or thing that embodies a principle or idea, or, put another way, a material (bodily) form of something immaterial (abstract). The synonym epitome is used of a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class. This term moves us closer to the notion of an ideal or perfect example of something, and skews positive (epitome of luxury, epitome of elegance), though both terms are found with some regularity in discussion of evil (embodiment of evil, epitome of evil).

The nouns tact and finesse overlap in many ways. Their differences are made visible in how they are used. Tact is often discussed as a thing a person possesses, like a sixth sense for what is appropriate in social setting: He had enough tact to not ask the question in public. Finesse is something that is shown or applied in an action, and this term is not necessarily concerned with social suavity: The author wove together the myriad storylines with great finesse. The artfulness implied in finesse further distinguishes it from tact. While tact implies great sensitivity and empathy, finesse suggests extreme delicacy.

To mourn is to feel or express sorrow or grief over something. The verb lament also conveys sorrow, but sorrow tinged with regret. To lament something is to be deeply saddened by it and, perhaps with a degree of frustration, to wish it were not so. This verb is commonly used to talk about loss, either of people or of items deemed valuable for a specific purpose. One might also lament an unfortunate turn of events.