essence

noun

ˈe-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce essence (audio)
Definition of essencenext
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

Relevance
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

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 essence Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light certainly captures the essence of Lowe's words. — Elizabeth Sweet, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 The solution is to realize the importance of being rooted in the divine essence of God that has been given to everyone. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026 The intimate hotel opens for the season in mid-to-late April, and encapsulates the essence of Broad Street, which is known for hyper-local boutiques and restaurants. — Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 In general, Daosist alchemy is understood as distilling elements of the world into potent spiritual essences. — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
  1. nature
  2. core
  3. substance
  4. heart
  5. soul
  6. root
  7. manifestation
  8. kernel
Noun
  • The true luxury lies in its unmatched convenience at a semi-affordable price point, blending the effortless nature of private aviation with the accessibility of commercial travel.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • There’s still a championship-level tension in the air, but the relaxed nature of the sport creates a unique environment.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • The core party at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will feature performances by acts including the Smashing Pumpkins, Maren Morris and Anthony Ramos, according to the America 250 website.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The most severe risk is heat stroke, which occurs when the body's cooling mechanism fails entirely, potentially driving core body temperatures to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within minutes.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • Both her mother and brother struggled with substance abuse, which eventually led to their deaths.
    — Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Watson will also have to stay away from the victim — and record a video about the harm of substance abuse and the importance of mental health treatment.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • Their coupling instantly captured the attention and hearts of fans around the world, and Swift’s presence at Chiefs games was even credited with bolstering female interest in NFL football.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • His update on the C-cut began just below the chin, with extra lift at the roots and inward-curving lengths that narrowed toward the ends to create the illusion of a heart.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • But the real coup is Dippold's command of tone, deftly pivoting between nightmarish, surreal, wickedly funny, and soul-stirring modes, sometimes within single scenes.
    — Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
  • The Bible’s message was seen as not only informative but salvific, and the monastic who memorized its words filled his or her soul with divine wisdom.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of soul
Noun
  • The roots of the fall-out stretch back to 2019, before filming for the franchise’s fourth feature instalment began, when Margera signed a wellness agreement with the producers which committed him to sobriety amid his struggles with alcoholism.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
  • Simply apply 1 to 2 inches of natural mulch, like bark mulch, over the roots of your plants to lock in soil moisture and keep the mulch line at least 1 inch away from the plant's stems.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Your question is a manifestation of handwringing, and so, yeah, a lot of people don’t pay attention to it, and that’s okay, and a lot of people do, and that’s better.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 July 2026
  • Meta’s compute business is also the latest manifestation of the circular economy in the AI race, like SpaceX’s recent decision to rent out data center space to Anthropic.
    — Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of manifestation
Noun
  • If every kernel inherits the same genes, why would such variation exist?
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
  • Due to the use of the whole wheat kernel, this type of bread is rich in fiber, Zinn explains.
    — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
Definition of kernel

Phrases Containing essence

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Cite this Entry

“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on essence

Nglish: Translation of essence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essence

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