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
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Recent Examples of essence
While suspending the licenses will in essence shut down the access of Venezuelan oil to the international markets, and in particular to the refineries serviced by Chevron in the United States, this does not mean the flow of crude from the South American country will stop altogether.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Directed by Gabriel Moses, the short film explores the essence of human connection through the rich and vibrant lens of West African culture.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025
President Trump has publicly said any peace rested on Ukraine ending its NATO ambitions and relinquishing territory seized by Moscow — in essence ceding to two key Russian demands.
—Charles Maynes, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
The separation of powers embodies the essence of our Constitution.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Directed by Gabriel Moses, the short film explores the essence of human connection through the rich and vibrant lens of West African culture.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025
President Trump has publicly said any peace rested on Ukraine ending its NATO ambitions and relinquishing territory seized by Moscow — in essence ceding to two key Russian demands.
—Charles Maynes, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
The separation of powers embodies the essence of our Constitution.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
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Of course, the uncertain nature of Trump’s trade plans appears to be a feature, not a bug.—
Matt Egan,
CNN,
6 Mar. 2025
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In the first episode, the camera follows the raid, the journey to the (thankfully) nearby police precinct and the earliest interrogations, as audiences and the Miller family learn the nature of the accusation against Jamie, who consistently protests his innocence.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That's why empathy is often a core value for families.—
Alana Bracken,
Parents,
28 Feb. 2025
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Stand up straight with your shoulders back, core engaged, and natural spinal alignment.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The trouble with dark matter Dark matter is the name scientists have given to the mysterious substance that accounts for around 85% of the universe's total matter content.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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In order to accomplish this, there must be a major temperature difference between the substance itself and its environment.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At the center of it all, John Summit — tanned, smiling, his shirt unbuttoned to a chest level that suggested a regular workout routine — threw up heart hands while manning the cockpit of CDJs before him.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
6 Mar. 2025
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Walls display Black History Month decorations, a tree made of pink paper hearts and posters of historical figures like the Wright brothers and George Washington Carver.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But in the role that won her a Best Actress Oscar, Holly Hunter reveals the sound of her character's soul with the barest of physical motions.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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Even so, there remained faint hope that Lost Campaign would somehow survive when Suggs, the starting point guard and heart and soul of the team’s defense-first mentality, returned from injury.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This allergy medication targets the root of the problem that causes red, scaly and itchy skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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Related article ‘An agenda to control you’: How climate solutions got sucked into a fevered culture war Experts say the roots of the shift toward far-right parties can be traced back years.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Newgate Prison, situated in London’s city center, had long been the target of scrutiny as one of the most infamous manifestations of Victorian punitive ideology.—
Sarah C. Schaefer,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
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The gathering in Kragujevac is just one manifestation of the largest popular revolt in Serbia since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević, in which students played a key role.—
Dominique Soguel,
The Christian Science Monitor,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As the exploit targets core Linux kernel USB drivers, the impact is not limited to a particular device or vendor and could affect a very wide range of devices.—
Dan Goodin,
Ars Technica,
28 Feb. 2025
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But that kernel of an idea saved Suits from becoming a forgettable case-of-the-week procedural.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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