Definition of naturenext
1
as in self
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others it was the grotesque nature of his stories that made them a challenge to get published in mainstream magazines her nature was such that lying was never an option for her the stoic nature of that family enables them to endure one calamity after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in wilderness
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation needed to get out of the office and back to nature in order to clear his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common group together anything round: buttons, lids, coins, and other things of that nature

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
as in universe
the whole body of things observed or assumed the belief that all of nature is controlled by an unseen Supreme Being

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nature distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of nature are character, description, kind, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

Where would character be a reasonable alternative to nature?

Although the words character and nature have much in common, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of nature?

The synonyms description and nature are sometimes interchangeable, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When can kind be used instead of nature?

In some situations, the words kind and nature are roughly equivalent. However, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would sort be a good substitute for nature?

While the synonyms sort and nature are close in meaning, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of nature?

The words type and nature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 nature But Buffon protested that a system of tidy categories based upon a single criterion belied the lush and jumbled profusion of nature. Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 According to the Exiger executive, these developments were not wholly unexpected given the prolific nature of China’s manufacturing sector, which powers the second-largest population in the world. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026 Friends with a sudden devotion to nature begin making plans to convene in parks; TurboTax becomes your closest email companion; your risk of injury at the hands of a lunatic on a City Bike, haunted by the memory of a New Year’s resolution to exercise, may increase. Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026 YouTube focused less on Kaley’s medical records and mental health history and more on her use of YouTube and the nature of the platform. Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • Like any other self-flushing litter box, this one needs to be connected to both a water source and a drain.
    Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This group isn’t going anywhere if those two don’t get back to their usual selves.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Then the action moves into the wilderness.
    Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • After surviving a 180-foot fall down a waterfall, a four-year-old border collie named Molly spent nearly two weeks alone in the New Zealand wilderness.
    Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The backstory Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort is the latest property by Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts, and is a first-of-its-kind concept for the group.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • On January 16, 2019, a first-of-its-kind demonstration of Deep Isolation’s patented technology was conducted using standard drilling techniques at a commercial drilling test facility.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Ronald’s successor at the center of the story is Anthony Norman, another young man with an open face and an inviting disposition.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Before filing the Order to Show Cause, the Enforcement Division gives the subject the opportunity to resolve the matter through a disposition agreement.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Juliet is arguing that Romeo’s name is merely a label that does not define his essence.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But the soul and spirit of [the films and] the essence of the themes of those films, and the kids and all the artisans and the crafts people.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • From the restaurant servers to the concierges, everyone had a distinctive wardrobe that denoted their role in the Waldorf universe.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The sequel incorporates sci-fi elements, as Tree finds herself in a parallel universe as a result of her friend’s time-travel experiments.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • According to Dunn, the small amount of division comes from online personalities such as Tucker Carlson, Matt Gaetz and Steve Bannon.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Of all the criteria the employer has to weigh, including personality and work ethic, the candidate’s ability to do the job carries the most weight.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Singapore Sling and the Million Dollar Cocktail are sisters who share the same DNA and many of the same qualities but possess quite different temperaments and have gone on to enjoy different lives.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Right from his beginnings with the Talking Heads, Byrne’s quizzical temperament has fueled a determination both to never resist change and to remain open to all kinds of external stimuli.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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