Published: September 26, 2025 | Last Updated: July 4, 2026
What is ? Definition & Meaning
An epistrophe (aka epiphora/antistrophe) is a rhetorical device where the same word or phrase repeats at the end of successive sentences or clauses. The repetition creates emphasis and rhythm. By placing the repeated words at the end, the speaker or writer draws your attention to a specific idea or feeling. Epistrophe is a subcategory of parallelism and repetition.
Common Examples of Epistrophe
Epistrophe appears in speeches, monologues, literature, and everyday language. Here are some well-known examples:
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Each phrase repeats a key word or phrase at the end, making the message clear and memorable.
Epistrophe vs. Anaphora
Epistrophe is the oppositie of anaphora, which repeats words at the start of sentences or clauses. You can spot epistrophe by looking for repeated words at the end, not the beginning. Both create rhythm but with different effects.
Epistrophe and Anaphora Combined: “The horror, the horror”
The phrase “The horror, the horror” from Heart of Darkness repeats the entire phrase twice. Because the repetition occurs at both the start and end, it functions as both anaphora (repetition at the beginning) and epistrophe (repetition at the end).
This overlap shows how rhetorical devices can combine to create a powerful, memorable effect. The repetition emphasizes the depth and intensity of the word “horror,” making the phrase haunting and unforgettable.
Summing Up
An epistrophe is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive sentences or clauses. It adds emphasis and rhythm to language. You find it in speeches, literature, and everyday speech. Spotting epistrophe helps you see how repetition builds meaning and feeling.
Epistrophe FAQ
What is epistrophe?
The repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences — the counterpart of anaphora, which repeats at the start.
What is an example of epistrophe?
Lincoln’s “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” or “I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.”
What is the difference between epistrophe and anaphora?
Anaphora repeats words at the beginning of successive phrases; epistrophe repeats them at the end.
Why do writers use epistrophe?
The end-position repetition drives home a key word and gives a line rhythm and emotional force — useful in speeches and dialogue.
How do you pronounce epistrophe?
It is pronounced eh-PISS-truh-fee.
Read Next: Want to dig deeper into screenwriting?
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