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
That’s the essence of the Horse.
—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
The default rule, in essence, is that lawful gun owners may carry their weapons unless told otherwise, according to the decision.
—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
In the essence of Taurus, an earthy zodiac that is known to do its due diligence to elevate its professional status, Marcus achieves greatness and notoriety as a pastry chef.
—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
One notable upgrade is the Sheet Mask Boost Mode, specifically designed to help hydrating essences penetrate deeper into the skin.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
The default rule, in essence, is that lawful gun owners may carry their weapons unless told otherwise, according to the decision.
—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
In the essence of Taurus, an earthy zodiac that is known to do its due diligence to elevate its professional status, Marcus achieves greatness and notoriety as a pastry chef.
—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
One notable upgrade is the Sheet Mask Boost Mode, specifically designed to help hydrating essences penetrate deeper into the skin.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
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The project has sparked outrage because of the location’s pristine nature and unique habitat that would be irreversibly devastated, according to environmentalists.
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But what Connecticut got was the top golfer in the world, at his very best at times, yet bitten in the end by the humbling nature of the most humbling of games.
Noun
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Reflective, multilayer shields will block the most heat, and ones with a thicker foam core will work much better than thin ones.
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Sperm production works best at a temperature slightly cooler than core body temperature.
Noun
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Haney painted the prosecution’s case as heavy on circumstance but light on substance.
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Public relations first, substance second and winning will magically come if the baseball gods grant it.
Noun
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Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
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Let heart guide tone, and your message lands.
Noun
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History, whether acknowledged or not, is etched in our souls.
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What the novels of William Faulkner and Ralph Ellison reveal about the soul of America • How Lewis and Clark invented the Western • Is Minneapolis the most literate city in America?
Noun
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Aniston, on the other hand, leaned into the shoe's casual roots, wearing hers with jeans and a tank top for a relaxed look that felt quintessentially summer.
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The dynamic Sun in your 9th House of Exploration quincunxes powerful Pluto in your 4th House of Home, so growth calls while roots demand attention.
Noun
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And her theory is embodied by Bartlett’s leper character, who in his literal and physical anonymity feels simultaneously like a manifestation of the island itself and a guardian of its promise.
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Highly intelligent individuals are often perceived as impatient, but psychologists suggest this trait may actually be a manifestation of their sharp minds.
Noun
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The three benchmarks Recursive used involve training a small language model, improving AI training speed, and optimizing a GPU kernel, the tiny mathematical steps that a GPU has to perform to train or run an AI model.
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Grill ears in their husks, then cut the kernels from the cob and add them to salads, salsas, grain bowls, or vegetable dishes.
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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