essence

noun

ˈe-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce essence (audio)
Definition of essencenext
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

Relevance
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of essence Later that night, at a circle-round-the-campfire discussion on the essence of Vibecamp, people will try to put their finger on the elusive magic of the scene. — Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026 Friends that feel like family, clubhouses, and creating your own summer income make this film the essence of the ‘90s summer experience. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 July 2026 Laura felt the rival’s ghost or essence spring away from her, as surely as if repelled. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Featuring top notes of orange, bergamot, and lemon mixed with honeyed florals and the essence of musk, cedarwood, and sandalwood, each item leaves behind a clean, calming, slightly herbaceous scent. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
  1. nature
  2. core
  3. substance
  4. heart
  5. soul
  6. root
  7. manifestation
  8. kernel
Noun
  • The on-again, off-again nature of the conflict could delay oil demand’s bounce-back even further.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The work has proceeded deliberately, district officials say, because of the historic nature of the McAuley building.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • The core interest aside from this being the final of a six-week long competition that only happens every four years is the country of Messi’s birth taking on the country that raised him.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Since the brain needs to drop its core temperature by roughly a degree to descend into deep sleep, a bedroom temperature of around 65-67 degrees Fahrenheit will help.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • After the fatal shooting, an FBI agent said small bags consistent with drug packaging that contained a substance resembling methamphetamine could be seen in plain view inside the vehicle.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 July 2026
  • In the end, the document accelerated review for some drugs and pushed the government to reschedule psychedelic substances that perform well in large clinical trials, enough to persuade Rogan and Hubbard to show for the signing.
    — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • Symptoms of this condition include delirium, seizures, an abnormal heart rhythm, hyperthermia, coma and death.
    — Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
  • Researchers found that black coffee (or coffee with very little added) was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain irregular heart rhythms, and Type 2 diabetes.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 July 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • Summering is good for the soul but not always so great for the soles, considering sandals aren’t usually at the top of podiatrist’s lists of comfortable shoes.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 20 July 2026
  • Come fill your belly with cacio e pepe, carbonara, and enough pizza to fill your soul.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026
Definition of soul
Noun
  • The Northernmost Tree For now, most commercial breadfruit groves are still setting root, leaving the growing to the same type of people who once introduced it to the region — the plant fanatics.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Reforming Social Security by cutting benefits for rich people and raising them for poor people would make the most financial sense and return the program to its roots.
    — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • The medals are a manifestation of a campaign that included far more good than bad.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • By focusing on changing immutable elements through mind power alone, the manifestation practices of Byrne and Nafousi—which promote aligning visualization with action—entered the world of magical thinking.
    — Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026
Definition of manifestation
Noun
  • Planters is among several widely available brands that sell sunflower kernels at major grocery stores.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
  • The patch fixes security vulnerabilities in Win32K, NTFS, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, Secure Boot, Print Spooler, Media Foundation, the Windows installer, and the Windows kernel itself, among others.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026
Definition of kernel

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Cite this Entry

“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on essence

Nglish: Translation of essence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essence

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