aura

noun

ˈȯr-ə How to pronounce aura (audio)
Definition of auranext
1
as in atmosphere
a special quality or impression associated with something the monastery perched high on a mountaintop had an aura of unreality and mystery about it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in energy
a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings alternative medical treatments that rely on the practitioner's ability to detect a patient's aura

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 aura Yet the aura of competence alone may carry Florida fans well into this fall. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 The idea is to preserve their physical integrity and maintain their sacred aura. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Your profile of Natasha Lyonne, for instance, is stripped of the aura of celebrity in a way that neither the Burnett nor the SJP profile are. — Merve Emre, The New York Review of Books, 11 Aug. 2026 Connecticut reported 12 clinical cases of Candida auras infection in 2024, according to CDC data. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aura
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aura
  1. atmosphere
  2. energy
  3. smell
  4. spirit
  5. aroma
  6. air
  7. ambience
  8. sense
Noun
  • The smoke is not expected to affect any major airports, even though smoke from a loft will remain in the atmosphere on Wednesday.
    — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Outside the shrines, though, the atmosphere is almost festive.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • Collaboration improves when everyone knows where to place their energy.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But the reflation boost appears to be petering out as much of the price recovery has been driven by surging global energy costs, while domestic demand lags.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of energy
Noun
  • The smell of freshly ground espresso and incense fills the air, and staff speak to patients in hushed, discreet tones, almost as if discussing state secrets.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The smell of rubber and oil remains in the air, and the sound of workers changing tires combines with music from a DJ inside the shop’s waiting room.
    — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • And the who, what and why of the vengeful spirit is the narrative pull of the play — along with the tense anticipation of more revelations, suspicions and shocks.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Art represents beauty and self-expression, while healing reflects science and well-being across mind, body and spirit.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • The rice is stirred over medium heat for a few minutes, giving the grains time to become opaque or lightly golden and release a toasty, nutty aroma.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The specific compounds responsible for the classic smoky aroma of a campfire – phenolic compounds like guaiacol and syringol – are highly reactive.
    — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The apartment has long faced poor living conditions, including some units lacking power or air conditioning.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of air
Noun
  • Pair with a set of ultra-thin taper candles for ultimate ambience.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Listening to music, ambience sounds, or just the noise of everyday life can improve the ability to hear.
    — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambience
Noun
  • In its evaluation, the committee cited the film’s polished craftsmanship and the clarity of its directorial vision, pointing to the tone and mise-en-scène that sustain a sense of pressure throughout the story.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • To channel this sense of joyful minimalism, pair a bold color with playful accents, rich textures, and meaningful décor that brings personality to the space without overwhelming it.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sense

Browse Nearby Words

au pairs
aura
aural
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aura.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aura. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on aura

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aura

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All