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
Relevance
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
Other clips show dozens of containers throughout the illicit facility, and vessels filled with unknown substances.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Pockels developed her trough to study what happens when substances interact on the surface of water.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
Key Takeaways Green tea and the lemon in lemon water both support liver health, which may enable the liver to be more effective in removing harmful substances from the body.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
Yet just as humans seem inherently inclined to imbibe addictive substances, so too are governments inclined to embrace this prohibitionist mentality at every opportunity.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Thousands of barrels of crude oil, natural gas and fracking water, which contains chemicals and other substances, spewed from the well pad, officials said.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Hydrogenation is an industrial process used to transform substances like liquid vegetable oils into stable solid fats and to synthesize pharmaceuticals, plastics, and fuels.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
But there are risks when using substances that aren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human use.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Many appear to be covered in white, yellow, red or brown substances.
—Ryan Hansen, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Pockels developed her trough to study what happens when substances interact on the surface of water.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
Key Takeaways Green tea and the lemon in lemon water both support liver health, which may enable the liver to be more effective in removing harmful substances from the body.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
Yet just as humans seem inherently inclined to imbibe addictive substances, so too are governments inclined to embrace this prohibitionist mentality at every opportunity.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Thousands of barrels of crude oil, natural gas and fracking water, which contains chemicals and other substances, spewed from the well pad, officials said.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Hydrogenation is an industrial process used to transform substances like liquid vegetable oils into stable solid fats and to synthesize pharmaceuticals, plastics, and fuels.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
But there are risks when using substances that aren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human use.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Many appear to be covered in white, yellow, red or brown substances.
—Ryan Hansen, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
Noun
-
Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The spa uses oils and essences from the hotel's medicinal garden, while the treatment rooms are set within the former convent's nuns' cells.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In this case, the matter will be argued before a jury after the state filed an apportionment complaint which added Rapo and the entities that own Carriage House as well as the property and business where the fatal assault occurred.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Victims' lawsuits against school officials and the district have been dismissed, citing Michigan's government immunity laws – which protect public entities and their employees from being sued.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 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
-
The game’s objective is to group words or objects into four groups of four based on commonalities within each group as quickly as possible.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Still, enough intact objects survived to identify the telltale designs.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Until these two things occur, basic accountability and justice will remain out of reach.—
Amy Wallace,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sports companion programming titles are on the rise, whether streamer series, documentaries or realities, Ampere Analysis’ Guy Bisson noted in his Mip London report on Factual Trends.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Oakwood maximizes every square foot, with creative layouts and flex spaces that serve as home offices, classrooms, or playrooms—reflecting the realities of remote work, multi-generational living, and evolving needs after the pandemic.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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