1
as in spirits
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power
many religions teach that the soul is immortal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in people
a member of the human race
I promise I won't tell another soul
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essences
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
a kind act that was the very soul of charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in hearts
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions
knew in her soul that it was true
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 souls
Young Alfred Tennyson grew up in a similarly provincial bit of England, tucked away in his father’s vicarage on a remote part of the east coast of England in a village of fewer than a hundred souls.
—
Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
An ancient ginkgo tree enchants longing souls across more than a century in this spellbinding cinematic triptych starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Léa Seydoux.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Adapted from a Japanese novel, the unusual story revolves around a spirit responsible for guiding transient souls to their next reincarnation, who embarks on a perilous mission with a young girl to prevent her being overwhelmed by her anger and transforming into a monster.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
In Ready or Not 2, which picks up right where the last one left off, Grace discovers that the Le Domases are one of six families who sold their souls to the devil for wealth and power.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The result is a never-ending parade of statutes favoring the wealthy and privileged above those unfortunate souls in society who need the most help and compassion.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
These brave souls forged new frontiers for nation-states and planted the right flag for posterity.
—S.c. Stuart, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
In a floating fortress of 2,000 souls, suspicion spreads and a murder investigation turns into a global security crisis.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
There's stuff going on, but like, the characters have souls.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
An ancient ginkgo tree enchants longing souls across more than a century in this spellbinding cinematic triptych starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Léa Seydoux.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Adapted from a Japanese novel, the unusual story revolves around a spirit responsible for guiding transient souls to their next reincarnation, who embarks on a perilous mission with a young girl to prevent her being overwhelmed by her anger and transforming into a monster.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
In Ready or Not 2, which picks up right where the last one left off, Grace discovers that the Le Domases are one of six families who sold their souls to the devil for wealth and power.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The result is a never-ending parade of statutes favoring the wealthy and privileged above those unfortunate souls in society who need the most help and compassion.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
These brave souls forged new frontiers for nation-states and planted the right flag for posterity.
—S.c. Stuart, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
In a floating fortress of 2,000 souls, suspicion spreads and a murder investigation turns into a global security crisis.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
There's stuff going on, but like, the characters have souls.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for souls
Noun
-
Ancient Mayans later believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, where gods and spirits dwelled.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Ancient Mayans believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, where gods and spirits dwelled.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The in-store assortment includes hair essences and hydrating mists from Narka; PDRN and exosome scalp serums from Lilyeve, plus other offerings from La’dor, Healing Bird, Refilled and Growus, which are all priced under $40 and focus on innovative formats and ingredients.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
For those whose skin leans on the drier side, year-round, hydration flooding with essences, toners, and ampoules maximizes hydration without adding unwanted heaviness.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The camera briefly returned to the actual game — the Giants’ Landen Roupp threw a pitch to Jorge Polanco, who fouled the ball off his foot — but the booth’s hearts were clearly in the stands.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The location holds a special place in their hearts as the destination of their first annual trip when Shirvell's daughter was 3 years old.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The two men spoke with disdain for Europe, and Szijjártó agreed to help in removing an Uzbek-Russian oligarch’s sister from a European sanctions list.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Within the Black community, men are more likely to be married than women, and Black women are more likely than Black men to be divorced, separated or widowed.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s often used for parched hands that have become extra dry during winter weather or exposure to drying substances, like soap or hand sanitizer.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The brain is protected by a complex defense system that blocks foreign substances, making treatment difficult.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, Trump's attempts to take credit for lower prices earlier in his term may link him to prices in voters' minds.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
College is on the horizon and on our minds and in my inbox, reminding me to sign up for the open house and schedule the campus visit and register for the test prep and start the long, delicate, lucky process of learning to see my favorite person on Earth a little bit less.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
She became known as an influencer in the #MomTok community, a group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sharing their lives on TikTok.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The right side is where your Shimano Tourney 7-speed trigger lives.—
Joe Salas
April 07,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Lau wonders whether Horses will be able to avoid conflict, due to their inherent independent natures.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Souls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/souls. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
