1
as in nature
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
the belief that power ultimately rests with the people is the very essence of democracy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in core
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
presented the essence of weeks of testimony in a 20-minute appeal to the jury
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of essence
Gardening is, in essence, a science experiment with variables, such as water, temperature and sun exposure.
—
Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
The latest news is, in essence, a third iteration of how best to expand Villa Park, chiefly led by the rebuild of its North Stand.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Brian had violated that code, the very essence of fairness—and behind their backs.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
It’s meant to encapsulate a Mediterranean essence that is bright and refreshing, but also complex with a bittersweet note.
—Anne Bratskeir, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
The latest news is, in essence, a third iteration of how best to expand Villa Park, chiefly led by the rebuild of its North Stand.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Brian had violated that code, the very essence of fairness—and behind their backs.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
It’s meant to encapsulate a Mediterranean essence that is bright and refreshing, but also complex with a bittersweet note.
—Anne Bratskeir, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
-
Charles, who is well-known for his love of nature and the importance of sustainability, fed chickens in a coop together with the kids.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The actor and hairstylist was questioned extensively by Blumberg about her dynamic with Weinstein and is expected to face a grilling about its complicated nature when cross-examination begins.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The core dispute is the skyrocketing cost of healthcare premiums.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Objects that formed between the soot and frost lines will be less dense, will have the capacity to possess some volatiles, and can have a wide variety of masses, but should always have rock-and-metal cores.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The list of substances Peters and his cohort ingest, inject, and smear on themselves is long and evergrowing, despite the very real risks that come along with them.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Jackson, the youngest son, was found in a bathroom where deputies allegedly saw a black substance in the toilet.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kristin Arielle Oliver passed away in June 2020 at the age of 31 after battling a rare heart cancer that required many blood transfusions.—
Francine Knowles,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The centrality of the extra-long flyback chronograph seconds hand (in a straw-yellow color) nods to his belief that the watch is, at heart, an instrument.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both spring from some primordial, paradoxical desire to see oneself and to lose oneself — to be acknowledged by the vast universe as something singular with meaning and purpose, and also to merge with that vastness, to overflow the constraints of one tiny body, one narrow soul.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Pajak’s Sam must drive home the lesson that the real vampires are those creatures who try to steal your true soul — your individuality.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
As a city that is always negotiating with modernity, the tradition of jol khabar remains a comforting anchor, binding generations to their cultural roots and evoking nostalgia.—
Madhushree Basu Roy,
Saveur,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The ancient technique used by Indigenous farmers helps direct rainfall to their roots.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This entry further defines community radio and then discusses its origins and its manifestations throughout the world.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
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In Cavarocchi’s practice, womanhood is seen as a manifestation of nature, with landscapes playing a role in healing trauma and reflecting cyclical rhythms of regeneration.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Also known as wheat kernels, wheat berries are encased in husks zipped along the tops of stalks and removed in a process known as threshing.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The kernels are so juicy and just burst in your mouth.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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