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selves

noun

Definition of selvesnext
plural of self
as in natures
the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others some believe that it's only in times of great stress that a person's true self is revealed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 selves Seydoux is arresting, especially as David discovers that occupying a woman’s body means being perceived—and desired—differently; Schneider is equally compelling as the film’s game of selves grows more labyrinthine. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 The nonverbal interplay between selves that is so important in human therapy was palpably absent. — Steven Barrie-Anthony, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 The Milk Carton Kids, comprised of Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, were their typical sardonic selves as returning hosts, but had some serious thoughts about AI, and Americana music as the antithesis of it. — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 And there are readers who see LLMs as sentient beings with inner selves, qualia, and so forth. — Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026 Casinos offer voluntary self-exclusion programs for compulsive gamblers; birth plans allow devotees of natural labor to deny their future selves an epidural. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 In the seconds, minutes and hours following the World Trade Center attacks, hundreds — maybe thousands — of ordinary people would find their best selves and become heroes. — Timothy Townsend, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 His charming, vivacious ways created a safe space to be their free-spirited selves. — Pj Green september 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026 Rebuild without the cost structure that has caused so many newspapers to go out of print and become shells of their former selves. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selves
  1. natures
  2. personalities
  3. tones
  4. characters
Noun
  • Dark matter and dark energy, also not yet directly observed, together are the source of the vast majority of energy in the universe, but their physical natures are unknown.
    — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Create characters built around lifepaths, natures, clan traits, and merits.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of natures
Noun
  • Predictable personalities are easier to follow and easier to share.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Sammy’s sandwiches have their own personalities, and each can stand on its own.
    — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of personalities
Noun
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls let a lot of light into the space, which is decorated in tones of gray, with dark wood herring bone floors in the bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Soft neutral tones are lifted by a curved leather-and-wood headboard, striking blue wall art inspired by traditional Turkish textiles and elegant pendant lighting that gives the room warmth rather than hotel uniformity.
    — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of tones
Noun
  • New characters are introduced, many interesting details are offered, yet the narration never loses its focus, every sentence adding to the characters’ mounting sense of powerlessness in the face of such a tragic death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In its premiere, this was a Korean Cherry Orchard performed in Korean for audiences that needed no primer on its setting, the rapidly changing globalized city where the characters’ home is threatening to disappear.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of characters

Browse Nearby Words

selvages
selves
semaphore
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Cite this Entry

“Selves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selves. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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