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

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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 Camille Cottin reprises her role as Andréa, the force-of-nature agent from the series who in the film is an aspiring director. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025 The nature center also offers adventures for little ones, including a dig pit, a bird blind, easy trails, and programming for toddlers and elementary-aged children. Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025 His songs were about the beauty of nature in Venezuela. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025 The crowd's response to Trump demonstrates his polarizing nature, with the president beloved by many grassroots Republicans but loathed by much of the left. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • Features no longer available Automatic self parking.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But what many users didn’t understand, or were never clearly told, is that the Web3 Wallet was not a self-custody wallet.
    Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Always check road conditions and safety warnings before heading into the wilderness.
    Ali Wunderman, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
  • There are other encounters in the wilderness too should the players decide to go exploring.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • New rides like this one can cost $100 million, if not more, to create; incorporate LiDAR laser systems of the kind used on self-driving cars; and rely on robotic figures with thousands of moving parts.
    Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
  • That's consistency — but not the good kind.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dim lighting bounces off of soft pink tiles and warms the dining room, the bathrooms glow ocean blue, every inch of the space colored by the sisters’ sunny dispositions and their dedication to turning even the most low-key midweek dinner into an exercise in jubilant excess.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy echoed that getting an MBA or having the biggest LinkedIn network might not help you in your career nearly as much as having a positive disposition.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Bobby Hart, who along with Tommy Boyce, penned and produced some of the Monkees’ greatest hits not only made a vital contribution to the popular success of the Monkees, but even more importantly to the essence, the very spirit of the entire venture.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The result is a collection that maintained the essence of IVY moda’s DNA while boldly stepping into new territory and appealing to a new generation of fashion fans.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The 90/10 skew is designed to reflect what Morningstar considers the modern asset universe, which is one where opportunities are expanding in the private markets and companies such as OpenAI and Stripe are able to stay private for longer.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • More recently, the Star Wars cinematic universe has expanded into serial productions such as the television show Andor, which builds on the central conflicts of the original movie.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So the personalities are different but the core motivations and attributes are there for all naval aviators.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
  • On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her two pups are part of the Protection Sport Association, which competitively tests dogs in their obedience and protection skills through tests of their temperament and physical ability.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, the movie is a thrillingly airy and active vision of Brussels that maps Michèle’s precocious and ambitious temperament onto the cityscape.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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