Definition of naturenext
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 New York may be chaotic and overstimulating by nature, but the city rewards intention. Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 Ma’s pop-up show in Southeast Los Angeles was part of his ongoing efforts to highlight people’s relationship to nature through music. Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 Spielberg also honored Neill, noting his collaborative nature. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 Still, that small percentage speaks to the nature of the heat in the region — namely that there is more than a hint of moisture mixed in with the heat. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • The robot’s success rate at a self-tapping nut loading station has reached 98 percent, reducing the gap with human workers’ qualification rate to just one percentage point.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • Maybe that hard-won self-belief is exactly what keeps her so grounded.
    Riann Phillip, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • While motors are normally prohibited in the wilderness, towboats have been used to reach evacuation points.
    Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026
  • The only difference for this expanse of wilderness after Monday’s orders, say lawyers and locals involved in the fight to protect the area, is that the land is open to leases for mineral and energy extraction.
    Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • California responded in kind, with passage of Proposition 50, a measure that shelved the work of a nonpartisan redistricting commission in favor of a map aimed at handing Democrats five additional seats.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • People also like listening to podcasts for free, and Peters also answered a question about whether Netflix would consider adding FAST channels or a free tier of some kind to better reach those people.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Early hints that Will was an abusive husband appear to have a precedent in the snarling disposition of his father Edgar (Erroll Shand), whose kindness mostly is reserved for his dog.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • Qualifications got candidates into the pool, but disposition got them on the team.
    Ed Brzychcy, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Laura felt the rival’s ghost or essence spring away from her, as surely as if repelled.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • There’s a certain je ne se quai to French girl dressing that’s hard to pin down, but Karlie Kloss’s latest look captures its essence perfectly.
    Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • And of course, the blocky universe just wouldn’t be the same without Momoa’s scene-stealing ex-video game champ.
    Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Many are conservative personalities who are close to the president.
    Matt Peterson, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Your swagger and larger-than-life personality are infectious.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Famous for their aromatic leaves and fast growth rates, mints of all sorts naturally repel an assortment of garden pests and keep ants away, too1.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
  • The Hitchcockian plot captivates from the get-go as a sort-of writer talks to someone off camera about his obsession for shadowing strangers.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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