1
as in substances
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 roots
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 essences
The in-store assortment includes hair essences and hydrating mists from Narka; PDRN and exosome scalp serums from Lilyeve, plus other offerings from La’dor, Healing Bird, Refilled and Growus, which are all priced under $40 and focus on innovative formats and ingredients.
—
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
For those whose skin leans on the drier side, year-round, hydration flooding with essences, toners, and ampoules maximizes hydration without adding unwanted heaviness.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
The spa uses oils and essences from the hotel's medicinal garden, while the treatment rooms are set within the former convent's nuns' cells.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Costco and Walmart have also expanded their assortments, adding essences, serums and sheet masks as demand accelerates.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The songs pack a wide range of elements into a single track, starting with rock, pop, soul, funk, dub, club music, and rap, plus various other essences, from singer-songwriter-like qualities to music originating from Japan’s internet like Vocaloid.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
For those whose skin leans on the drier side, year-round, hydration flooding with essences, toners, and ampoules maximizes hydration without adding unwanted heaviness.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
The spa uses oils and essences from the hotel's medicinal garden, while the treatment rooms are set within the former convent's nuns' cells.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Costco and Walmart have also expanded their assortments, adding essences, serums and sheet masks as demand accelerates.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The songs pack a wide range of elements into a single track, starting with rock, pop, soul, funk, dub, club music, and rap, plus various other essences, from singer-songwriter-like qualities to music originating from Japan’s internet like Vocaloid.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essences
Noun
-
It’s often used for parched hands that have become extra dry during winter weather or exposure to drying substances, like soap or hand sanitizer.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The brain is protected by a complex defense system that blocks foreign substances, making treatment difficult.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fish fry traces its roots back to 2021, when Robinson, founder of The Applesauce Group, a nonprofit that works to empower historically excluded communities, began hosting small gatherings during the uncertainty of the pandemic.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
What’s more, onions and other alliums have natural antibacterial properties that may inhibit the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of legume plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Lau wonders whether Horses will be able to avoid conflict, due to their inherent independent natures.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hval’s restless melodies and at-times Proustian lyrics trail cigarette smoke or the fragrance of roses toward litanies of memory, all the while deconstructing the very natures of stage performance, recording technology, and digital existence.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The camera briefly returned to the actual game — the Giants’ Landen Roupp threw a pitch to Jorge Polanco, who fouled the ball off his foot — but the booth’s hearts were clearly in the stands.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The location holds a special place in their hearts as the destination of their first annual trip when Shirvell's daughter was 3 years old.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Young Alfred Tennyson grew up in a similarly provincial bit of England, tucked away in his father’s vicarage on a remote part of the east coast of England in a village of fewer than a hundred souls.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
An ancient ginkgo tree enchants longing souls across more than a century in this spellbinding cinematic triptych starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Léa Seydoux.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Innerspring mattresses have supportive cores made of metal coils and are topped with foam or other layers of padding.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The bombs’ nuclear warheads weren’t armed, but their plutonium cores were.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those still using a 486 for one reason or another will still be able to run older Linux kernels and vintage operating systems—running old software without emulation or virtualization is one of the few reasons to keep booting up hardware this old.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There are also mini Bowser cauldrons capable of holding five to 11 kernels of popcorn.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Banchero made six of his first eight shots to reach 13 first-half points and added four rebounds and three assists before the break.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Clay Fuller, the Republican candidate, prevailed by 12 points.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Essences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essences. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
