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

Relevance
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 This state, then, has the potential to quantum tunnel into the true vacuum state, whereupon the laws of nature will abruptly change, including the fundamental constants that govern the Universe and allow structures, like atoms, to form. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025 But there were few details about the nature of the shooting the next morning as the investigation continued. Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025 The film deconstructs physical identity, familial bonds and the performative nature of gender and desire – all while its central location teeters on collapse. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025 Some employees, however, are exempted due to the nature of their work — such as those who work in national security fields — and are expected to continue working without pay. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • In profiles—on John Akomfrah, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ellen Gallagher, Glenn Ligon, Lorna Simpson, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, and Nari Ward, to name a few—Enwezor returned repeatedly to the idea of representation as a turn from a singular self to a plural self that becomes political.
    Simon Njami, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
  • While navigating all of this, Bay stresses the importance of self compassion.
    Korin Miller, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Even though there was a collection of quarterbacks to start games between the Bernie Kosar era and the 1996 relocation, this is where the quarterback wilderness count usually begins.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Glaciers, vast wilderness and the northern lights await Phoenix travelers in 2026.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Sirras said that award looks to be the first of its kind, and the board likely offered it to Nejatian because of a blessing from Opendoor’s cofounders, Eric Wu and Khosla Ventures’ Keith Rabois.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Despite his perverse and jock-like disposition, he is known to be a talented and knowledgeable surgeon.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
  • However, because the animals' natural habitats share some overlap and both have similarly docile dispositions, zoos often group howlers and capybaras together.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In essence, the device aims to replace a lymphatic massage or gua sha, offering fascia release, fluid drainage, and smoother texture in one handheld gadget.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Matsui, a Democrat, said time is of the essence, and called on her Republican colleagues to negotiate.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This unique event dedicated to fandom, cosplay, role-playing games and the entire cross-media universe of comics is increasingly becoming an integral part of the Hollywood studios’ promotional push in Europe, ever since the Movie Area strand started 15 years ago.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Post-Lover, Swift completely killed pre-release singles in her musical universe.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Burns began as a forward before solidifying his calling as a defenseman, playing seven years in Minnesota and flashing his personality off the ice and thoroughbred mentally on the ice.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The clues have been there from the start, the little touches that aligned Grasso’s bifurcated personality with Tom and Robbie’s.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For all their differences in background, temperament, and approaches to art, Matisse and Picasso both venerated Cézanne, Delacroix, Manet, and van Gogh.
    Christopher C. Gorham September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Iris is a bright young girl with a sensitive temperament and big heart.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nature

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!