1
as in self
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others it was the grotesque nature of his stories that made them a challenge to get published in mainstream magazines her nature was such that lying was never an option for her the stoic nature of that family enables them to endure one calamity after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in wilderness
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation needed to get out of the office and back to nature in order to clear his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common group together anything round: buttons, lids, coins, and other things of that nature

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
as in universe
the whole body of things observed or assumed the belief that all of nature is controlled by an unseen Supreme Being

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nature distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of nature are character, description, kind, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

Where would character be a reasonable alternative to nature?

Although the words character and nature have much in common, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of nature?

The synonyms description and nature are sometimes interchangeable, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When can kind be used instead of nature?

In some situations, the words kind and nature are roughly equivalent. However, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would sort be a good substitute for nature?

While the synonyms sort and nature are close in meaning, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of nature?

The words type and nature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 nature But her survival instincts and knowledge of nature were put to the test when she was lost in the mountains of Fresno, California, for nearly three weeks and was finally found alive on Wednesday. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 16 May 2025 The physical nature of that line was a big part of its success. Arpon Basu, New York Times, 16 May 2025 This unique marine worm can contract its body to one-fourth of its full size and is known for its venomous nature. Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025 What used to be a quick trip to the pharmacy now requires cost-conscious consumers to price shop and find affordability options ahead of time due to the complex nature of navigating health plans. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • Armed with an arsenal of reggaeton grooves and relatable lyrics, the singer born Carolina Giraldo Navarro conquered the charts and endeared herself to legions of fans with her sonic confessionals of love and self-empowerment.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The island manages to feel like a familiar neighborhood, while simultaneously bursting with opportunity to see and be seen, to connect more deeply with others and with self, in totally new ways.
    Essence, Essence, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The last time Democrats were this deep in the wilderness was in 2005, when few outside the DNC had heard of Barack Obama.
    Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
  • According to Botti, three weeks is the longest he’s seen someone survive in the wilderness after going missing.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • While a return to European competition of any kind would be something to heartily celebrate, playing in the third-tier Conference League’s qualifying rounds would somehow still feel like scant reward for a season that promised even more for so long.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • The new program at La Jolla High is believed to be the first of its kind in SDUSD’s La Jolla Cluster of schools.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an attorney and policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute previously mentioned that the database doesn’t always have the final dispositions of cases.
    Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 15 May 2025
  • Shutt says Ruby has the sweetest disposition and knows which office staff member has the best treats.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Palpatine returns Though his body may have been destroyed during the Battle of Endor, Palpatine survived in secret for years by transferring his essence to clone bodies.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Penny Hotel Williamsburg The intimate Penny Hotel, nestled in Williamsburg's core, perfectly captures the neighborhood's artistic essence.
    Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • This outcome means that sprawling universes go well beyond the MCU.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • First of all, Chicago itself exists in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • On the other end of the spectrum, wellness culture is crowded with personalities and products claiming to have the answers.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Wilson’s intentionality in crafting her footwear to express her style and personality—there’s a line from her New York Times bestselling book, Dear Black Girls, imprinted on the outsole of her new shoe—signals that the three-time WNBA MVP sees herself as more than a professional athlete.
    Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • With the two men mismatched in temperament and direction, Diller was gone in a year and a half—fleeing one sinister Davis (Martin) for the arms of another, equally sinister one (Marvin), who controlled Twentieth Century Fox.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Turner and Jarrett are similar players: physically, skill-set-wise and in temperament.
    Adam Jahns, New York Times, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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