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

Relevance
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 The track seemed to play on Williams’ fandom for the music icon, while also drawing comparisons between their outspoken natures. Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025 Both the King and Prince William have long been advocates of preserving nature. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Oct. 2025 Looking Toward Lebanon Given the interwoven nature of Israel's conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah, many experts are looking to Lebanon. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Gemes said there are more defaults and lower recoveries than are being publicly reported, noting there are a number of high-profile deals in Europe where there is very little information available because of the private nature of the deals. Hugh Leask, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • The team discovered that oxygen can degrade riboflavin when exposed to light, which leads to self-discharge.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Seattle lends itself to delicious satire, with its touching self-belief of being unshakably progressive.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The non-human residents of the Tasmanian wilderness play an important role in the show too, and not just as a reluctant meal.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Renshaw endured domestic cricket’s wilderness for nearly five years before a recall in early 2023.
    Sam Dalling, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But from a young age, Keaton seemed to understand that actual beauty, the timeless kind, required a degree of depth, even darkness.
    Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The novel application of the existing test is described in preliminary, first-of-its-kind research to be presented Tuesday at the 38th ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress in Amsterdam.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Your disposition and attitude is an inspiration.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Despite his perverse and jock-like disposition, he is known to be a talented and knowledgeable surgeon.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The essence of impartial justice is treating like conduct alike—not identifying the target and then finding the crime.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The essence of Bessent’s bet is that, with US financial muscle behind him, Milei can win them.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The category remains key for companies and consumers — the main driver of business in the luxury sector hopefully offering a way to reverse slumping sales and a way for consumers to enter a brand’s universe at more accessible prices.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo were like twin stars birthing a new R&B universe in the late 1990s.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One of Fox’s most prominent sports media personalities may be leaving the company to start a new media venture.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Few breweries have as much personality as Big Lug, helmed by owner Eddie Sahm and head brewer Tyler Chippa.
    Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pups with excitable and reactive temperaments were especially responsive to on-screen content, suggesting that many canines may interpret moving images much like real-world events.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • For all their differences in background, temperament, and approaches to art, Matisse and Picasso both venerated Cézanne, Delacroix, Manet, and van Gogh.
    Christopher C. Gorham September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nature

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!