as in looks
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 presences
Troopers will also maintain visible presences around holiday events, crowded shopping venues and large public gatherings.
—
Jackie Zhou, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
By virtue of playing characters who are constantly being underestimated and therefore must prove themselves, female leads Fujisaki and Kiyohara have the most dynamic roles and are therefore the most compelling presences.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Folks who may have been fleeting presences, or reduced to talking heads in tiny squares on a group Zoom — like the secretary of defense (Jared Harris) or a fresh-faced deputy national security adviser (The Night Agent‘s Gabriel Basso) — become lead protagonists.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris have Instagram presences, but Chu doesn’t follow either of them, and vice versa.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Castle Hill Inn is said to be haunted by a female ghost, and whispers have been heard and presences have been felt at The Jailhouse Inn, which served its namesake purpose from 1772 to 1986.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Barkov and Tkachuk are two of Florida’s biggest presences in that regard, Barkov in a show-don’t-tell fashion with his work ethic and Tkachuk vocally.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
The veteran presences of Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones and Jordin Canada should ensure Atlanta’s main-stage readiness.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Times Square already has one of the highest police presences in the city and the country, with mixed results — why will your initiatives work better than what’s already in place?
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
Jackie Zhou, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
By virtue of playing characters who are constantly being underestimated and therefore must prove themselves, female leads Fujisaki and Kiyohara have the most dynamic roles and are therefore the most compelling presences.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Folks who may have been fleeting presences, or reduced to talking heads in tiny squares on a group Zoom — like the secretary of defense (Jared Harris) or a fresh-faced deputy national security adviser (The Night Agent‘s Gabriel Basso) — become lead protagonists.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris have Instagram presences, but Chu doesn’t follow either of them, and vice versa.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Castle Hill Inn is said to be haunted by a female ghost, and whispers have been heard and presences have been felt at The Jailhouse Inn, which served its namesake purpose from 1772 to 1986.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Barkov and Tkachuk are two of Florida’s biggest presences in that regard, Barkov in a show-don’t-tell fashion with his work ethic and Tkachuk vocally.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
The veteran presences of Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones and Jordin Canada should ensure Atlanta’s main-stage readiness.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Times Square already has one of the highest police presences in the city and the country, with mixed results — why will your initiatives work better than what’s already in place?
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presences
Noun
-
Two matched in black and white looks as Penn sported a white button-up shirt, a structured blue blazer, black trousers and white sneakers.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, Bella Hadid has repeat-worn the style with many off-duty looks, proving that the timeless silhouette adds an outfit-elevating touch.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The book also shines a prominent light on how attitudes toward certain drugs have changed over time by showing when and where they were embraced.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
-
However, the recent flood of Gen Z workers into the education non-profit could reflect broader attitudes towards work and an uncertain labor market.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since the series debuted last November, the show’s cast, including Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, has become a sensation online in their late-night talk show appearances and interviews.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The couple — who are now one of the most watched of the season thanks to their double awards show appearances — were not shy about hiding their romance amidst the stars at the 2026 Golden Globes.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Mean Green’s best football season ever wasn’t even over before the major figures from that team left, or announced their intentions to bounce ASAP; when the season did end, moments after UNT defeated San Diego State to win the New Mexico Bowl, is when the great Denton flood began.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
This Is the Way to Tea Party From setting the table to greeting guests, Cece teaches her friends how to use their best manners while enjoying a tea party.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The brand ethos of wellness is luxury is among the aspects that resonated most with Petruzzo, who underscored the bond the company has with its community.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While a dog can be bribed with a squeaky toy and a pig would surely look at the camera when enticed with a sausage on a stick, cats are known for their admirably self-serving demeanors.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In many ways their demeanors couldn’t be more different.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presences. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
