example vs epitome

example and epitome both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
example	Yes	No	No	No
epitome	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, epitome is a hyponym of example; that is, epitome is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than example:

example (noun)	epitome (noun)
a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding	a standard or typical example
an item of information that is typical of a class or group	a brief abstract (as of an article or book)
something to be imitated
a representative form or pattern
punishment intended as a warning to others
an occurrence of something