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
Reduces Plaque Buildup in Arteries Plaque is a buildup of fatty substances, including cholesterol, that forms inside the walls of arteries.
—
Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 14 Jan. 2026
Supports Liver Health Antioxidants in kombucha may help protect your liver from damage caused by harmful substances in your body.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2026
Part of the researchers’ message is that exposure to harmful substances doesn’t just come from smokestacks or car exhaust.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Late last year, the Food and Drug Administration convened an expert panel to discuss easing access to testosterone replacement therapy, including the prospect of removing the hormone from the list of scheduled, or restricted, substances and taking the black box warning off testosterone products.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Historic fire data showed about 20% of properties still contain toxic substances above California’s benchmarks for residential properties.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Though cocaine, which was legal in the 19th century, was the vice of many in the book, many other substances make an appearance, including cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, acid, painkillers and even yellow paint.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
These substances are crucial in producing everything from electric vehicle batteries to cutting-edge military hardware — vital currency in the global tech battle with China and others.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
If left to build up on the skin, these substances can make skin look and feel dull or irritated.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 14 Jan. 2026
Supports Liver Health Antioxidants in kombucha may help protect your liver from damage caused by harmful substances in your body.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2026
Part of the researchers’ message is that exposure to harmful substances doesn’t just come from smokestacks or car exhaust.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Late last year, the Food and Drug Administration convened an expert panel to discuss easing access to testosterone replacement therapy, including the prospect of removing the hormone from the list of scheduled, or restricted, substances and taking the black box warning off testosterone products.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Historic fire data showed about 20% of properties still contain toxic substances above California’s benchmarks for residential properties.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Though cocaine, which was legal in the 19th century, was the vice of many in the book, many other substances make an appearance, including cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, acid, painkillers and even yellow paint.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
These substances are crucial in producing everything from electric vehicle batteries to cutting-edge military hardware — vital currency in the global tech battle with China and others.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
If left to build up on the skin, these substances can make skin look and feel dull or irritated.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
Noun
-
Skin care leads the conversation, alongside a growing focus on niche fragrances, refined essences and wellness treatments.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
22 Dec. 2025
-
And this year’s lineup is loaded with glow-boosting icons—from milky toners and hydrating essences to overnight masks that make your skin feel like a cloud.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Any questions, comments or complaints regarding this Sweepstakes must be directed to the Sponsor only, and NOT to Instagram, Facebook, or their affiliated entities.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The receiver and its forensic accountant scrutinized the activities of just seven entities that Acharya and his company controlled, a review that revealed an intricate web of dealings by the real estate executive.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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
-
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
-
By learning from video that captures how humans interact with objects, NEO can generalize its behavior across unfamiliar environments and tasks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Just don’t place fragile items and objects that could be damaged by extreme heat or cold in your trunk unless your car is staying put and the weather is mild.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The real-life regulations on what color to paint your house, how short to cut your grass, and exactly where to put your garbage can on trash day make this suburb ripe for an outsider and her teenage daughter to come along and shake things up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Wolverines had a tough time getting things going against the high-pressure Sierra Canyon defense.—
Jack Gillespie,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The actors participated in a two months of workshops and lived in North Indian villages to immerse themselves in the characters’ realities.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Among other things, Sandbrook said, the practical realities from an architectural standpoint make an on-campus stadium nearly impossible.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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