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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of essence
The rate of Dickens’ prodigious output—two canonical novels across twelve months—conveys the essence of his craft.
—
Ed Simon
july 21, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Also, his snarky remarks to Cher are the essence of the archer, who doesn’t hold back from expressing their feelings, good or bad.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Empower responded, in essence, that retirement savers deserve a crack at the lucrative private investment market, after decades of exclusion.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Given that it is supposed to be a raw, honest re-telling of a couple finding light amid disaster, The Observer report called the very essence of the book into question.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Ed Simon
july 21, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Also, his snarky remarks to Cher are the essence of the archer, who doesn’t hold back from expressing their feelings, good or bad.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Empower responded, in essence, that retirement savers deserve a crack at the lucrative private investment market, after decades of exclusion.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Given that it is supposed to be a raw, honest re-telling of a couple finding light amid disaster, The Observer report called the very essence of the book into question.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
-
Takeaway QuantumScape’s nature is binary: either revolutionary success or complete failure.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
Across the United States, in California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas, tens of thousands of tarantulas will being crawling out of their burrows in search of females – making for a fascinating, if a little creepy – display of the wonders of nature.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
We’d be better served, however, by understanding that at the core, both of these are fueled by and lead to dehumanization.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
The key has been the gradual introduction of a new generation around the experienced core to supplement their talents with pace and vivacity.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Anthony Newkirk said the toughest thing for Native men to do is ask for help when battling substance abuse or seeking overall wellness, including mental health.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
-
In the decades following, Creed and others either waned in popularity or imploded the way popular rock bands often do: lineup changes, substance abuse, legal issues, deaths.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Our son’s bed started just burning in the shape of a heart.—
Katie Mannion,
People.com,
28 July 2025
-
Adam always finds a way to keep Cam's memory alive which warms our heart.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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The musical slipstream that creates between bluegrass, blues, country, folk, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, rock and soul has roots more firmly entrenched — and more lucrative — in Music City than ever.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
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Allow this to awaken your soul ahead of season 4 of Ted Lasso: Jason Sudeikis and costars Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, and Brendan Hunt crashed a Mumford & Sons concert to perform the show's theme song on stage.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Without addressing root causes of violence, long-term solutions and improvements can never be realized.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
Fact: Healthy lawns should be watered deeply, but less often, to encourage root growth and drought tolerance.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
Noun
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The collecting of hair is, in short, a deeply unrelatable manifestation of deeply relatable emotions: love, grief, nostalgia, yearning.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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While in police custody, Madelyn Cline's Danica Richards has a vision of Helen, who was memorably killed by the Fisherman in the 1997 movie, as a manifestation of her guilt.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Are these really the first kernels of the Justice League for you in the DCU?—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 July 2025
-
In its natural state, a whole kernel of wheat has three layers underneath the outer husk.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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