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
Rauw, a 33-year-old San Jaun romantic, had a breakthrough after a breakup, skipping coolly across genres and balancing electronic and acoustic arrangements following a split with Rosalia; even in polar vortex hell, Karol G’s Tropicoqueta goes over like a glass of concentrated essence of summer.
—
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Gus and Marty’s is exactly what this corner of Brooklyn needed—elevated yet un-fussy, an essence of real warmth, and genuinely great food.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
So the Wizards took a flier on a potential franchise-altering talent, and doing so, in essence, cost them just two role players.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Yet our society has morphed into a segregated form of free speech that erodes the very essence of such freedom.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Gus and Marty’s is exactly what this corner of Brooklyn needed—elevated yet un-fussy, an essence of real warmth, and genuinely great food.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
So the Wizards took a flier on a potential franchise-altering talent, and doing so, in essence, cost them just two role players.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Yet our society has morphed into a segregated form of free speech that erodes the very essence of such freedom.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
-
Although physicists will no doubt argue over the best approach, the one the field has taken continues to teach us more and more about the nature of reality and the contents of our Universe.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This scenery—bodegas, funeral parlors, pizza shops—was the only kind of nature Twin knew and loved.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mobile units have core tasks of license plate collection and vehicle pattern tracking.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Forensic scientists were called in, but none of the roughly 100 people who were there had a noticeable physical reaction to the substance.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Omar, a Democrat, was calling for the abolishment of ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign when a man sitting in the front row rushed up to her and sprayed her with a substance while yelling at her.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Two months later, her heart began to beat irregularly.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Vidal was struck five times and bullets hit his heart, lung, liver and pancreas.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The crunchy Larkin Poe album embodies the musical slipperiness of Americana as an ideal, a carefree cruise through country, blues, rock, and soul; the Molly Tuttle album brims with the rustic zest of early Sheryl Crow.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Produced by Yohan Usuga, this collective performance captures the soul of the genre and amplifies the song’s emotional resonance.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Taken together, the list reads like a snapshot of a category that’s evolving quickly while still holding onto its roots.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
According to Natacha Bonjout, French pharmacist and founder of Bonjout Beauty, the ingredient is based on plant extract Anemarrhena asphodeloides root, which is rich in sarsasapogenin to stimulate fat cells.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Eventually there will be a physical manifestation of the Hall, a building somewhere with plaques and memorabilia and exhibits honoring the rich history of sports in Southern California, but that will be at the back end.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Antetokounmpo is the manifestation of the second timeline the Warriors have chased for years.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An on-board grain feeder delivers the corn kernels into a delivery truck which drives it to a packaging center.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Though the eco mode struggled to pick up a popcorn kernel, the turbo mode handled it easily.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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