essence

noun

ˈe-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce essence (audio)
Definition of essencenext
1
as in nature
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is the belief that power ultimately rests with the people is the very essence of democracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in core
the central part or aspect of something under consideration presented the essence of weeks of testimony in a 20-minute appeal to the jury

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 essence What starts as a lightweight gel melts into a watery essence on contact, sinking in almost instantly and leaving skin noticeably softer and glassier. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026 But the symbiotic essence of orchids, the key to their immense evolutionary and ecological success, remained unknown until the end of nineteenth century. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026 This means, after a couple of days of heavier feels, the essence of Sagittarius encourages perspective, expansion and healthy risks. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 The essence of what ESPN has meant to so many viewers begins with the man who came up with the idea of the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network in 1979. — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
  1. nature
  2. core
  3. substance
  4. heart
  5. soul
  6. root
  7. manifestation
  8. kernel
Noun
  • All three projects will collectively contribute to better measurements of how cosmic structure is changing over time—crucial information for clarifying the nature of dark energy and dark matter in the universe’s evolution.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026
  • While the moves are not dramatic, the elevated nature of yields has added to the debt burden, putting interest paid as the largest federal expenditure outside Social Security and Medicare.
    — Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • At its core, Vermejo is a conservation laboratory developing the blueprint for rewilding in North America—the tourism element simply helps to fund it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • To create objects with collapsibility as a core feature, Toyonaga’s team devised an analytic design algorithm allowing incremental construction of complex scissored surfaces.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • This risk is increased markedly when buprenorphine is combined with other substances that depress the central nervous system, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, and certain sedating medications.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some undergo cosmetic procedures and reportedly inject their bodies with peptides, testosterone, and other substances that enhance their physiques.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • The way the central couple navigates the twists, turns, roadblocks and unforced errors that entangle their budding relationship is the beating heart of these films.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The approval was based on results from a trial that showed Mounjaro outperformed Trulicity in reducing the risk of major heart events.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Rams no longer need the future Hall of Famer to be the heart and soul of their defense.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of soul
Noun
  • Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, attributes the root cause to sluggish economic growth.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Over the next several decades, Mexican American families poured in and set down roots.
    — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Pursued by monstrous entities and confronted by manifestations of human suffering, Dante and Virgil will eventually come face to face with the Devil himself.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But as the brand continues to grow, dealing with the manifestation of a dream is quite nice.
    — Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of manifestation
Noun
  • Adults is almost always at its best when there’s a method to the madness, a kernel of earnestness at the heart of it all.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Linux password file retrieved The researchers demonstrated the threat on an AMD computer running a current Linux kernel.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kernel

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Cite this Entry

“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on essence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essence

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