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
Even your new build might have captured the essence of an Indigenous person, who lived on this land, well before Europeans settled Kentucky in the 18th century.
—
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
There remain many disagreements in detail but hardly any in essence.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
The essence of a performance was captured by people who weren’t professional musicians.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
But this focus doesn’t capture what feels like the essence of friendship for many people.
—Athena Aktipis, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
There remain many disagreements in detail but hardly any in essence.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
The essence of a performance was captured by people who weren’t professional musicians.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
But this focus doesn’t capture what feels like the essence of friendship for many people.
—Athena Aktipis, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
-
Aventura Mall’s policy prohibits the possession of weapons of any nature on the property.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
If the Teslas were $7,500 cheaper, their spare nature would be a lot more palatable.—
Patrick George,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Guerrero remains the core piece.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Two sources told Fortune that Amazon’s human resources division—known internally as PXT or the People eXperience Technology team—will be hard hit, but that other areas of Amazon’s core consumer business are also likely to be affected.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Investigators believed that, during the procedures, Adame and Galaz — who allegedly presented themselves as specialists — injected Rajpaul with substances used by qualified cosmetic physicians but combined them with dangerous chemicals, ABC7 reported at the time.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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The discovery could shed new light on the nature of dark matter, the invisible substance that makes up roughly a quarter of the universe.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a common theme with Steen, Arbour and Jackman — all three players were heart-and-soul players with the Blues.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Our hearts are extra full this week 🥰 #DedicationNight featuring our stars’ special guests is TONIGHT - 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But how can this team push forward without its heart and soul?—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Viewers were able to see the security camera footage of the boxer staring deep into the lens' soul and sitting motionlessly in front of it for the duration of the 14-second clip.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Although his own roots are Baptist, the North Little Rock native is no stranger to the Methodist hymnal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
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That legacy hasn’t faded, but the region feels freshly alive these days as chefs, artists, and creative entrepreneurs put down roots.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With themes of resilience, victory, and joy as a healing balm, Joy in the Belly of a Riot is a beautiful manifestation of how poetry has the power to heal and help one overcome pain.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Wednesday’s fourth quarter was a manifestation of their Cinderella story.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But critics say the memo builds on kernels of truth before veering into unscientific fringe theories.—
Stephanie Armour,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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The female’s back is covered in small protrusions that resemble popped kernels of popcorn, inspiring its genus name Zea, derived from the corn plant.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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