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
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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
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Recent Examples of essence
The essence of being vulnerable has helped others out of their situations.
—
Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025
Your brand’s essence should remain recognizable, even as the details shift.
—Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
If a watch is in fact stolen, time is of the essence.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2025
Turner’s music perfectly evokes on an emotional level the sentiment of the film, the essence of a place and people that only exist in the past, Aljafari adds.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025
Your brand’s essence should remain recognizable, even as the details shift.
—Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
If a watch is in fact stolen, time is of the essence.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2025
Turner’s music perfectly evokes on an emotional level the sentiment of the film, the essence of a place and people that only exist in the past, Aljafari adds.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
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The suite’s interiors reflect the nature on the doorstep, with a soothing color palette of earthy browns, soft taupes and warm greens.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Serena and Leah comfort her and talk about their own experiences with death and the nonlinear nature of grief.—
Olivia Crandall,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Colleges and their boards will regularly review core classes and eliminate those that fail to meet certain benchmarks.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Aug. 2025
-
That money needs to be going toward core medical and scientific research.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But a White House executive order last month seeks to bring back the old model, directing federal agencies to end funding for organizations that offer housing to people without first requiring treatment for substance abuse or serious mental illnesses.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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Mike’s mental health struggles, and potentially his substance abuse, have contributed to a narrative that’s isolating him.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
People have had public debates about the proper approach to safeguarding health since before modern medicine, but RFK is not a fringe academic or internet poster who can argue to his heart’s content without actually hurting anyone.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Candida auris can infect the bloodstream and even cause death by invading the blood, heart and brain, the CDC said.—
Joyce Orlando,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The soul of the person who wrote it, those that read it and dreamed with it.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
The Courier-Journal,
18 Aug. 2025
-
An intellectual and a poetic soul with a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford!—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Today it has been reimagined as a romantic hotel with Renaissance roots and a modern soul.—
Livia Hengel,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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In response, a Trader Joe’s employee noted that both customers and staff are instructed to water lightly when the soil is dry due to the absence of drainage holes, offering a practical tip for keeping roots healthy.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In many ways, Vance’s rise has been a compelling manifestation of that retreat.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
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Prior to the tumor's manifestation, her only symptom had been a sore arm, which the doctors chalked up to arthritis.—
Simar Bajaj,
NPR,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Google also stopped publishing complete kernel modification histories and new binary drivers, further hampering independent development efforts.—
Federico Guerrini,
Forbes.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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The kernels are so juicy and just burst in your mouth.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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