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
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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
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Recent Examples of essences
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
Skin care leads the conversation, alongside a growing focus on niche fragrances, refined essences and wellness treatments.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
And this year’s lineup is loaded with glow-boosting icons—from milky toners and hydrating essences to overnight masks that make your skin feel like a cloud.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Dec. 2025
Costco and Walmart have also expanded their assortments, adding essences, serums and sheet masks as demand accelerates.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
From nourishing face creams to hydrating essences, that ethos transcends its robust lineup of salves and elixirs that contribute to overall skin health.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 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
Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Skin care leads the conversation, alongside a growing focus on niche fragrances, refined essences and wellness treatments.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
And this year’s lineup is loaded with glow-boosting icons—from milky toners and hydrating essences to overnight masks that make your skin feel like a cloud.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Dec. 2025
Costco and Walmart have also expanded their assortments, adding essences, serums and sheet masks as demand accelerates.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
From nourishing face creams to hydrating essences, that ethos transcends its robust lineup of salves and elixirs that contribute to overall skin health.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 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
-
Many appear to be covered in white, yellow, red or brown substances.—
Ryan Hansen,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Aldermen also became embroiled in a heated but symbolic debate about hemp after Johnson vetoed an ordinance approved by the council last month that would have broadly banned many intoxicating hemp substances.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The rink disparity’s roots go back to well before the countries’ current allocation of resources.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The swearing-in ceremony drew an array of Texas Democrats and highlighted his labor organizer roots.—
Philip Jankowski,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
-
There are countless ways to wear hearts on your nails—this one uses shape.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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The news warmed our hearts in the midst of this cold, dark and endless winter.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Maybe John-John was a vacuous jock type, but even hunks have souls.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Neighbor Program nourishes the minds and souls as well as the stomachs of the community.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The stars eventually go supernova, and their respective cores collapse to form black holes containing as much as 100 times the mass of the sun.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
-
When stars with around the same mass as the sun run out of hydrogen, the fuel necessary for nuclear fusion in their cores, their cores collapse and their outer layers swell out and are eventually lost.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Crispy, salty pancetta, two types of cheese, sweet corn kernels, and a parsley-panko bread crumb topping will have everyone coming back for another scoop.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
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Stir, then cover and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the kernels are tender.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Samuels, who scored 11 points, reached the milestone in the fourth quarter after knocking down two free throws.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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The blowout loss would mark not only the biggest margin of defeat for the Trojans in two seasons under Musselman but also the first time USC (18-8 overall, 7-8 in the Big Ten) has given up more than 100 points in a game since 2019.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Essences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essences. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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