epitomise vs symbolise

epitomise and symbolise both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
epitomise	No	No	Yes	No
symbolise	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, symbolise is a hypernym of epitomise; that is, symbolise is a word with a broader meaning than epitomise:

epitomise: embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of
symbolise: express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol

Other hypernyms of epitomise include represent, stand for, symbolize, typify.

epitomise (verb)	symbolise (verb)
embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of	express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol
	represent or identify by using a symbol; use symbols