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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of essence
In essence, a way of pressuring the companies to act.
—
Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
The American framework is, in essence, a demand for Iran’s surrender.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Few designers capture the essence of womanhood quite like Pierpaolo Piccioli—his eight-year tenure at Valentino proved that time and again.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence Black rice probiotics and barrier-loving ceramides and lipids make up this essence, which prevents irritation, locks in moisture, and boosts skin’s elasticity.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
The American framework is, in essence, a demand for Iran’s surrender.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Few designers capture the essence of womanhood quite like Pierpaolo Piccioli—his eight-year tenure at Valentino proved that time and again.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence Black rice probiotics and barrier-loving ceramides and lipids make up this essence, which prevents irritation, locks in moisture, and boosts skin’s elasticity.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
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Ask for a tour of the grounds and a nature walk to see the astounding green spaces, tropical trees, and untouched forest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators are now examining the wreckage to determine the exact nature of the malfunction.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That included both the SLS rocket's core stage and upper stage separately at different times from Orion, which also deployed its solar arrays to draw power from the sun while reaching a high-Earth orbit about 46,000 miles high.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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According to statements from the lawmakers involved, the core issue is security.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lappen oversaw the county's Behavioral Health Services division, which works with people with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The half-industrial, half-heavenly record was recorded on the brink of a real-life meltdown; the substances Lean had rapped about so brazenly during his adolescent mixtape era would nearly claim his life.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Choose a task and finish it with heart!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The post also included a red heart.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Young Alfred Tennyson grew up in a similarly provincial bit of England, tucked away in his father’s vicarage on a remote part of the east coast of England in a village of fewer than a hundred souls.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Because this energy is centered in Scorpio and Cancer, we’re blessed with the depth of soul needed to accept the true needs of others and ourselves.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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My in-room Japanese breakfast was another highlight, with hjiki seaweed and red snow crab, stems of earthy burdock root, crunchy snow pea with yuzu, and buttery, roasted Greenland halibut.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
These five artists have combined their Indigenous roots with revolutionary artistic techniques to preserve their cultures in the face of adversity.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Moreover, the Cuban newcomer — a former Billboard On the Radar Latin artist — is as fierce and unapologetic as ever, delivering sharp verses that are both for the haters, and serve also a strong manifestation on abundance and prosperity.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
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Its early manifestations frequently surface in other clinics.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Bottom Line on Sleepmaxxing As with many social media health trends, there’s a kernel of a good idea here.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
11 Mar. 2026
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In addition to the bacon and sausage, this queso is packed with filling black beans, corn kernels, scallions, cheese, jalapeños, and our favorite, Rotel tomatoes.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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