as in natures
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others
had the feeling that the natives were of a different clay than us and that neither side would ever understand the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 clays
Practice cattle-handling skills, ride one of 70 horses and take aim on the sporting clays course.
—
Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The linen fabric has been dyed through the label’s proprietary Tinto Terra technique, which utilizes natural clays to produce earthy, complex colors with reduced environmental impact.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 25 May 2026
Finer clays, silts and coarser sands would all have been deposited by different processes.
—Geoff Emberling, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
That’s thanks to a blend of Brazilian clays finely-milled into powders which blend easily into roots (even on darker hair colors).
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Whether between film premieres or a post-Sundance reprieve, titans flock to the lodge for backcountry exploits like sporting clays, horseback riding, axe-throwing, and fly fishing — or opt to be whisked off to the private ski lounge.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Some clays will take slightly longer, while others can even begin to harden in a matter of hours.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The formula features bentonite and kaolin clays for deep cleansing and oil absorption, while glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids gently exfoliate to refine skin texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 30 Sep. 2025
In collaboration with researchers from the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar), the USP team tested incorporating the algae into ceramic clays.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The linen fabric has been dyed through the label’s proprietary Tinto Terra technique, which utilizes natural clays to produce earthy, complex colors with reduced environmental impact.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 25 May 2026
Finer clays, silts and coarser sands would all have been deposited by different processes.
—Geoff Emberling, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
That’s thanks to a blend of Brazilian clays finely-milled into powders which blend easily into roots (even on darker hair colors).
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Whether between film premieres or a post-Sundance reprieve, titans flock to the lodge for backcountry exploits like sporting clays, horseback riding, axe-throwing, and fly fishing — or opt to be whisked off to the private ski lounge.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Some clays will take slightly longer, while others can even begin to harden in a matter of hours.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The formula features bentonite and kaolin clays for deep cleansing and oil absorption, while glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids gently exfoliate to refine skin texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 30 Sep. 2025
In collaboration with researchers from the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar), the USP team tested incorporating the algae into ceramic clays.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clays
Noun
-
These observations suggest that small, mysterious moons with surprisingly different natures are the source of the particles that make up the two outermost rings, and that there are probably even more undiscovered moons to add to the 29 already known around Uranus.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Last month, a Los Angeles jury found social media giants Meta and Google failed to warn children about the addictive natures of their platforms.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rich, warm, toffee tones carry throughout the lobby and lounges; the space offers grand views over the Chao Praya and the Thai river homes across the water.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The process includes multiple tones to activate pagers and sirens, as well as a return tone.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Recreational facilities like Parque Río Cristal, Coney Island in Miramar and Lenin Park, which once offered leisure opportunities for ordinary Cubans, have become shadows of their former selves.—
Sarah Moreno
June 5,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
Throughout Ranjha, Ben Tzur’s latest album with Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, the blurring of selves is the goal.—
Arman Khan,
Pitchfork,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Those keen on his appointment may well hope his approach to managing the squad’s difficult personalities can unlock a more effective way of motivating Madrid’s galacticos to put in the hard yards.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
One by one, many of the network’s most prominent on-air personalities have made their displeasure known, sinking morale among the rank-and-file and prompting leaks and internal frustration.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Trade drab colors with 44 percent off floral prints, and bulky hoodies for something a little more lightweight to beat those nightly chills and airplane cabin temperatures—this one by Faherty is 25 percent off for a limited time.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
The spectral figures, marked by their sarong colors, imagined Zodiacs, doshas and more, operate haunto-structurally.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
In the 1890s, at the height of the Gilded Age, Southern states rewrote their constitutions to disenfranchise poor whites and Black citizens alike, specifically to crush the rising Populist movement.—
Sarita Gupta,
Time,
2 June 2026
-
State constitutions, which often have clauses enshrining equality and education, can serve as a pathway for challenges to segregation that results from economics and housing patterns, said Robert Williams, a professor of law emeritus at Rutgers University.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The singer has voiced several other iconic characters, including Simba in Disney’s 2019 live-action Lion King movie and Yoshi in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which premiered in April 2026.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Janet shares a lot of scenes with different characters, like Robbie (Morris), Lonnie (Abraham Popoola) or even Frankie (Cary Christopher), the little boy who’s friendly with Ben.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clays. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
