SUBSTANCES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

substances

noun

plural of substance

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

Relevance

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

nonentities

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 substances Tate McRae has so many more substances to dunk herself in, after all. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026 Common types include activated carbon, KDF and calcium sulfite, each targeting different substances. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026 Shower filters are better at reducing substances like chlorine, sediment and certain metals. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 Some conditions associated with toxic substances can take decades to develop, meaning a health problem may emerge long after a veteran has returned to civilian life. — Cristina Johnson, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026 More than 20 containers with unknown substances inside were taken to a lab in Chicago for evidence. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 The country continues to provide multiple ways for people who use substances to access healthcare and treatment, while also addressing problems such as housing and unemployment that can make sustained recovery difficult. — Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 These schedules are meant to address PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which the military has used for decades in firefighting foams. — Austin Fast, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 The reason for that is because flushing fluids into the system this way can mask the detection of performance-enhancing substances. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances

Noun

Wittgenstein proposed to abandon the appeal to essences for the concept of family resemblance.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
To experience a thicker, chewier noodle, order the tsukemen (dipping-style ramen) with a broth, as dense as gravy, fusing the essences of pork, chicken and fish.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of essences

Noun

On Wednesday, local media reported that India's premier criminal investigation agency filed a case against Bhanu Tatak, the adviser to a group resisting the hydropower project, accusing her of illegally taking funds from foreign entities.

— Mamita Bhandari, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
An audit by a local activist group of ALPRs reported that at least 290 agencies without data-sharing agreements, as well as out-of-state, federal and nongovernmental entities, had searched the Elk Grove’s Flock data since 2021.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of entities

Noun

Dark matter and dark energy, also not yet directly observed, together are the source of the vast majority of energy in the universe, but their physical natures are unknown.

— Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Create characters built around lifepaths, natures, clan traits, and merits.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 July 2026

Definition of natures

Noun

Moreover, its ultra-low infrared emissivity suppresses thermal radiation, hiding objects from heat-seeking cameras.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
In this new role, Benabadji has said he is focused on guiding Ginori’s ongoing history, which will move beyond traditional tableware into interiors, decorative objects, hospitality and broader lifestyle categories.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of objects

Noun

But thankfully, Lisa Hochstein’s lingerie party sets things back on course.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Venus in your daily-life zone connects awkwardly with Uranus in your sign, increasing your appetite for novelty, movement, or a different way of doing things.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of things

Noun

How can an artist’s intimate experience speak to something larger, across different cultures, geographies, and lived realities?

— PhotoVogue, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
My character, Jedidiah Dooley, teaches Malcolm’s character the harsh realities of the Old West.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of realities

Browse Nearby Words

substance

substances

substandard

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of substances

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes