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
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
Naturepedic boasts the Made Safe certification, which ensures that no harmful substances are used in making this comforter (both for humans and the environment).
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
These substances have the potential to cause behavioral changes in the sharks and indicate that humans have a stronger hand in ecosystem changes than expected, even in isolated places.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
Supplements are the vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances meant to support, or supplement, a balanced diet.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 7 Apr. 2026
The experimental treatment would use CRISPR, a gene-editing tool likened to biological scissors, to make precise cuts in the DNA to turn off a liver gene that prevents lipids — fatty substances including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides — from being cleared from the blood.
—David Cox, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Colorimetric tests are pouches containing chemicals that change color when certain substances or compounds are detected.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
That’s because tea leaves contain tannins, complex chemical substances that give tea its astringency and dark color.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Naturepedic boasts the Made Safe certification, which ensures that no harmful substances are used in making this comforter (both for humans and the environment).
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
These substances have the potential to cause behavioral changes in the sharks and indicate that humans have a stronger hand in ecosystem changes than expected, even in isolated places.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
Supplements are the vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances meant to support, or supplement, a balanced diet.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 7 Apr. 2026
The experimental treatment would use CRISPR, a gene-editing tool likened to biological scissors, to make precise cuts in the DNA to turn off a liver gene that prevents lipids — fatty substances including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides — from being cleared from the blood.
—David Cox, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Colorimetric tests are pouches containing chemicals that change color when certain substances or compounds are detected.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
That’s because tea leaves contain tannins, complex chemical substances that give tea its astringency and dark color.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
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
-
With that in mind, many of the nation’s big media companies have tried to launch their own entities.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Because the company is based in Switzerland, it's bound by extremely strict laws regarding privacy, preventing law enforcement and other entities from accessing your files without first appearing in court to justify it.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
6 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
Noun
-
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Xcel has to be sure the lines are OK and free of branches and other objects before turning the electricity back on, Kenney said.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And once on the other side of those things, Christy Martin began living a different kind of double life.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The implication is that she got distracted and failed to notice the most important things.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Like a wormhole opening between the two men, a bridge ripping through spacetime to connect disparate realities.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Not even royals can escape the realities of life.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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