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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of substances
The ingestion of substances was just astronomical.
—
Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
It’s widely considered one of the world’s most addictive substances — yet influencers are pitching nicotine as a wellness tool.
—Kimberly Richardson, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
These bamboo sheets are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified and tested to be free from over 100 harmful substances.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Nicotine is among the most addictive substances known, altering the brain’s reward pathways and making quitting notoriously difficult.
—Kimberly McCreight, Time, 3 June 2026
Critics argue the proposal would weaken the EPA’s authority to restrict harmful chemicals and shortcut safety reviews for new substances.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
Focusing on creating stable mixtures with water-soluble substances such as sugar and oil-soluble ones such omega-3 fatty acids, the team developed a capillary-force system for emulsifying small amounts of water and oil.
—New Atlas, 3 June 2026
The ingestion of substances was just astronomical.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The government’s largest-ever claim for compensation relates to contamination with per- and polyfluoroaklyl substances, known as PFAS, at 28 bases.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
It’s widely considered one of the world’s most addictive substances — yet influencers are pitching nicotine as a wellness tool.
—Kimberly Richardson, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
These bamboo sheets are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified and tested to be free from over 100 harmful substances.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Nicotine is among the most addictive substances known, altering the brain’s reward pathways and making quitting notoriously difficult.
—Kimberly McCreight, Time, 3 June 2026
Critics argue the proposal would weaken the EPA’s authority to restrict harmful chemicals and shortcut safety reviews for new substances.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
Focusing on creating stable mixtures with water-soluble substances such as sugar and oil-soluble ones such omega-3 fatty acids, the team developed a capillary-force system for emulsifying small amounts of water and oil.
—New Atlas, 3 June 2026
The ingestion of substances was just astronomical.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
The government’s largest-ever claim for compensation relates to contamination with per- and polyfluoroaklyl substances, known as PFAS, at 28 bases.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
Noun
-
Like almost all modern iterations of music, the genre of Catalan rumba has evolved alongside streaming-era influences and the younger generations of musicians who have taken up its sonic essences and distilled them through their own lenses.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by a number of countries and entities, including the United States, Britain and the European Union.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
-
As data flows and workloads operate dynamically, employees are logging in from airports, coffee shops, other business entities and home offices.—
Morey Haber,
Forbes.com,
1 June 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
-
Don’t go anywhere near them or touch any objects that are near them, including tree limbs.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
-
Other teams of astronomers have looked for clues about the movements of giant planets in the orbits of asteroids and other small objects, studying them like footprints to reconstruct how they might have been pushed or pulled into their current orbits by the gravity of giant planets on the move.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Jonathan liked to drop in on patients, ask how things were going.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Kenny is going through her things and counts 26 black T-shirts.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Any institution that fails to understand Tijuana, Baja California, border commerce, bilingual labor markets, immigration realities, environmental interdependence and cross-border health issues is not worthy of the site.—
Christos Korgan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The positive impacts of your escape from daily realities are doubled.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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