NATURE Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'nature' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of nature are character , description , kind , sort , and type . While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses. // two problems of a similar nature

Q: Where would 'character' be a reasonable alternative to 'nature'?

Although the words character and nature have much in common, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type. // research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Q: When is it sensible to use 'description' instead of 'nature'?

The synonyms description and nature are sometimes interchangeable, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined. // not all acts of that description are actually illegal

Q: When can 'kind' be used instead of 'nature'?

In some situations, the words kind and nature are roughly equivalent. However, kind may suggest natural grouping. // a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

Q: When would 'sort' be a good substitute for 'nature'?

While the synonyms sort and nature are close in meaning, sort often suggests some disparagement. // the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

Q: In what contexts can 'type' take the place of 'nature'?

The words type and nature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group. // one of three basic body types

nature

noun

ˈnā-chər

Definition of nature

as in self

the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others it was the grotesque nature of his stories that made them a challenge to get published in mainstream magazines her nature was such that lying was never an option for her the stoic nature of that family enables them to endure one calamity after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in wilderness

that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation needed to get out of the office and back to nature in order to clear his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in kind

a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common group together anything round: buttons, lids, coins, and other things of that nature

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in disposition

one's characteristic attitude or mood a boy of a quiet and shy nature

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in essence

the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is some artists maintain that color, light, and shadow are the very nature of painting

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in universe

the whole body of things observed or assumed the belief that all of nature is controlled by an unseen Supreme Being

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nature distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of nature are character, description, kind, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

Where would character be a reasonable alternative to nature?

Although the words character and nature have much in common, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of nature?

The synonyms description and nature are sometimes interchangeable, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When can kind be used instead of nature?

In some situations, the words kind and nature are roughly equivalent. However, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would sort be a good substitute for nature?

While the synonyms sort and nature are close in meaning, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of nature?

The words type and nature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 nature While the nature of the change remains uncertain, Cole and her colleagues have little doubt about its root cause. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 One of the joys of science is discovering that nature often challenges our intuition. — K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 The steep, rocky nature of the canyon itself funnels water rapidly. — Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The true figure could be even higher, says Adams, because of some limitations in the data and the conservative nature of our analysis. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nature

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature

Noun

Sweet Humans is about believing in and elevating independent stories and voices, and building something together where everyone can be their authentic selves.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
My mother was never one for parting phrases, mainly because she was overwhelmed by a form of timidity that verged on self-erasure.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of self

Noun

The new movie follows a benevolent ex-pilot named Hig (Jacob Elordi) who, after losing his wife during a catastrophic global pandemic, lives out in the wilderness with his dog, Jasper, and ornery isolationist pal Bangley (Josh Brolin).

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The test may have started as a wild marketing idea, but after five hours of searching through the Swedish wilderness, the team had the intact phone to prove it.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of wilderness

Noun

John Ratcliffe’s surprise talks with Russian officials were the first of their kind since his predecessor visited in late 2021, also to deliver a warning — to not attack Ukraine.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The United States and India finalized a consequential trade deal in February, the first of its kind between the two countries, which promises to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of kind

Noun

With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The office recently concluded its criminal investigation into GKN and is now negotiating a civil disposition with the company.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of disposition

Noun

The essence has a high concentration of PDRN, which promotes cellular repair and collagen production, plus niacinamide and copper peptides to leave your skin firmer and smoother.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
The concept art is meant to capture the essence of the project and is not intended to depict final details and design of the bridge.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of essence

Noun

The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star is already in the Bravo universe and is going to trade franchises and mix in with the likes of Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley, Sutton Stracke, Erika Jayne, Rachel Zoe and Bozoma Saint John.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
But only now have scientists discovered one for the first time, which could provide important insight about our universe.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of universe

Noun

Of course, Sophie-Rose and her friend Garrett (social-media personality Jake Shane) have no reason to care about Billie at all.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The media personality recently shared an Instagram Reel promoting her podcast interview with author Virginia Evans (The Correspondent) while wearing a striped button-up blouse.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of personality

Noun

Sorry to sit on the fence but both of them… There was little to like about a stale, out-of-sorts Manchester United facing a side with not a single fearsome attacker.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
No matter your hurry, overloading your washing machine will produce a headache of a different sort (and might even cost you more money).

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of sort

Browse Nearby Words

naturalness

nature

natures

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nature

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

9 Animal Names That Are Also Verbs

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on nature

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of nature

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing nature

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to nature

9 Animal Names That Are Also Verbs

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on nature

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

Games & Quizzes