1
as in essences
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in entities
one that has a real and independent existence
the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substances
Police say Tong allegedly had multiple substances — including sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and butane.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The 31-year-old man was charged Wednesday with malicious destruction of property and possessing substances to operate a meth lab.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Police said the substances can be purchased legally online and in stores.
—Janat Batra, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
The list of substances Peters and his cohort ingest, inject, and smear on themselves is long and evergrowing, despite the very real risks that come along with them.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Outside experts generally agreed with the government’s assessment, noting that small amounts of substances such as heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Allergies Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to foreign substances, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Apr. 2026
The Department of Justice is easing federal restrictions on medical marijuana products licensed by states, reclassifying them as less dangerous substances in another big step toward reorienting federal policy around a drug that has been strictly controlled at the federal level for decades.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
All of the substances are just a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously that isn’t a real solution.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The 31-year-old man was charged Wednesday with malicious destruction of property and possessing substances to operate a meth lab.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Police said the substances can be purchased legally online and in stores.
—Janat Batra, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
The list of substances Peters and his cohort ingest, inject, and smear on themselves is long and evergrowing, despite the very real risks that come along with them.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Outside experts generally agreed with the government’s assessment, noting that small amounts of substances such as heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Allergies Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to foreign substances, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Apr. 2026
The Department of Justice is easing federal restrictions on medical marijuana products licensed by states, reclassifying them as less dangerous substances in another big step toward reorienting federal policy around a drug that has been strictly controlled at the federal level for decades.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
All of the substances are just a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously that isn’t a real solution.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
Noun
-
Many imitation almond extracts or essences rely on synthetic benzaldehyde for flavor, which can create saccharine notes that overpower delicate desserts like custards, sponges, or pastry creams.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Store shelves are packed with serums, toners, essences and exfoliants — all promising transformative results.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The moon has been a major source of interest for both SpaceX and NASA, with the two entities in partnership for Musk's company to develop a lunar lander for astronauts to ride to the surface.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
The land will not be available to corporations, foreign money, or other entities looking to ration the American dream back to Californians.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
These observations suggest that small, mysterious moons with surprisingly different natures are the source of the particles that make up the two outermost rings, and that there are probably even more undiscovered moons to add to the 29 already known around Uranus.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Last month, a Los Angeles jury found social media giants Meta and Google failed to warn children about the addictive natures of their platforms.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Participants learned the locations of fifty objects; each was associated with a distinct noise.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Scientists can draw on it to identify and study 100,000 exoplanets, hundreds of millions of galaxies, billions of stars, and rare objects and phenomena — including some that astronomers have never witnessed before.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
As the Moon moves through your 2nd House of Finances, clear terms help prevent confusion and keep things fair.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rodriguez is happy to see things coming together as conference play gets into full swing.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Established by Creo in partnership with Sony, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards aim to provide career-defining opportunities for emerging talent by introducing them to the realities of professional filmmaking and equipping them with the tools to advance their work.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
1 May 2026
-
This approach requires large upfront investments that lack across-the-board support, either because of budgeting realities or ideological bents.—
Aneri Pattani,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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