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
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Recent Examples of selves
For decades, the sport has provided a progressive sort of safe space for those within the LGTBQ+ community, some of whom still may be trying to realize their authentic selves.
—
Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
By throwing her voice in this way, the narrator is split off from her story and identity; her selves are multiple and shifting.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
An interview is one of the moments when leaders are actively trying to present their best selves.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Those who remain are left to process their new selves (the cure allows people to survive, but can leave them with severe scarring all over their bodies) while considering the cost of their pursuit of beauty.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
Their presence reassures and inspires us to be our best, most authentic selves.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 21 Jan. 2026
The ancient study of numerology, which gained modern traction in the 20th century, suggests that numbers hold information and resourcefulness that can guide us in finding our most authentic selves and purpose.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
As for the shelving itself, stick to a single shelf design rather than tacking up three or four mismatched selves.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Without Kittle, the 49ers reverted to their early-season, lean-on-reserves selves.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
By throwing her voice in this way, the narrator is split off from her story and identity; her selves are multiple and shifting.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
An interview is one of the moments when leaders are actively trying to present their best selves.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Those who remain are left to process their new selves (the cure allows people to survive, but can leave them with severe scarring all over their bodies) while considering the cost of their pursuit of beauty.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
Their presence reassures and inspires us to be our best, most authentic selves.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 21 Jan. 2026
The ancient study of numerology, which gained modern traction in the 20th century, suggests that numbers hold information and resourcefulness that can guide us in finding our most authentic selves and purpose.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
As for the shelving itself, stick to a single shelf design rather than tacking up three or four mismatched selves.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Without Kittle, the 49ers reverted to their early-season, lean-on-reserves selves.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for selves
Noun
-
Hval’s restless melodies and at-times Proustian lyrics trail cigarette smoke or the fragrance of roses toward litanies of memory, all the while deconstructing the very natures of stage performance, recording technology, and digital existence.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
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The world features beautifully ethereal landscapes as well as industrial facilities that feel functional and fully realized despite their alien natures.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Through an annual induction ceremony and year-round programming, the Hall of Fame will celebrate athletic excellence and honor the players, teams and personalities who have shaped LA sports.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Do the allusions and shout-outs to current events and personalities seem a little too close for comfort?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mixing and juxtaposing voices, lingos, and tones, [Dylan] traces the decline of America over the trajectory of his own lifetime through the kaleidoscope of the Kennedy assassination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For an April 2025 visit to Scotland with husband Prince William, the Princess of Wales channeled muted earthy tones in pieces by Ralph Lauren Collection, Scottish brand Johnstons of Elgin and Chloé, among other brands.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dim antique lighting, picture frames covering every inch of the walls, and a centralized bar filled with buzzy characters sit at the heart of a room anchored by a few coveted tables, where leaning in and brushing shoulders with a lucky counterpart is inevitable.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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The last film ends with a massive cliffhanger where the fates of several key characters are not disclosed so as of now plot details and returning cast are unknown at this time.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Selves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/selves. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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