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
That’s the essence of the argument.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Both a quarantine and blockade are similar in essence, though differ in personnel and severity.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Just a stone’s throw from the shoreline and Belle Isle Inlet, the elegant Winthrop residence at 66 Lowell Road captures the essence of New England’s seaside charm without the Cape Cod traffic woes.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
In essence, agents attach a camera to their bodies and turn it on.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Both a quarantine and blockade are similar in essence, though differ in personnel and severity.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Just a stone’s throw from the shoreline and Belle Isle Inlet, the elegant Winthrop residence at 66 Lowell Road captures the essence of New England’s seaside charm without the Cape Cod traffic woes.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
In essence, agents attach a camera to their bodies and turn it on.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
-
The most popular images depicting families are centered around nature and farmwork, leaving out indoor bonding activities like sharing meals, getting ready for work and school, playing games and shopping.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Making room for levity is, then, a way of admitting the human—not through the granular and intimate detail that lends Ferrante’s novels their power but through a broader concession to nature.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Sweater Vest Sweater vests are the perfect middle layer when the seasons transition to warm up your core without overheating your arms under jackets.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Season 34's core panel of judges all agreed that Earle performed exceptionally.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her sister struggled for years with substance use, leading their mother to assume custody of her sister's two children.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Exposure to the substance has been linked to a wide range of health impacts, including developmental problems, nervous system damage and hearing problems in children; and high blood pressure, joint pain and reproductive problems in adults.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pasta Whole-grain pasta, including whole wheat pasta, retains more fiber, vitamins like B vitamins, and essential minerals such as iron and magnesium, which support heart health, digestion, and energy.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Now Governor Healey and the homeless industrial complex have set their heart on over-cramming capacity on Redlands Road.—
Lou Murray,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pat McGrath is so etched in my soul, my heart, and my vision for what is considered beauty and glamour.—
Tracee Ellis Ross,
Glamour,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The team won the sweepstakes for superstar free agent Juan Soto by offering a record-setting contract, and while Soto performed well, the Mets missed the playoffs and have some real soul searching to do.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Evolito itself traces its roots to YASA’s early axial flux technology.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Little Tokyo often steals the spotlight, but Gardena and Torrance’s Japanese American roots run just as deep.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This cul-de-sac at the end of civilization feels like a physical manifestation of the loneliness Carol radiates even before the cataclysmic incident.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Given the disease’s wide range of trajectories and manifestations—from mild and manageable to severely disabling—some now regard it as a group of diseases, rather than a single one.—
Lucinda Rosenfeld,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Toss the crispy gnocchi with lots of sweet, fresh corn kernels, prepared pesto and a hefty sprinkle of grated cheese, and broil until the cheese gets bubbly, gooey and slightly charred in spots.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
-
But critics say the memo builds on kernels of truth before veering into unscientific fringe theories.—
Stephanie Armour,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share