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
Relevance
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
The beef is seasoned simply, but that time soaking in the essence of beef flavor gives the tender meat a distinct richness balanced by the crispy edges from the plancha.
—
Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The visa bond program functions, in essence, like a security deposit that’s layered on top of the standard visa process.
—Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
In essence, Bright Lights, Big City, instead of being emotionally provoking and riveting, is distressingly gray and tedious, enlivened only by Fox’s gifted histrionics.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The visa bond program functions, in essence, like a security deposit that’s layered on top of the standard visa process.
—Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
In essence, Bright Lights, Big City, instead of being emotionally provoking and riveting, is distressingly gray and tedious, enlivened only by Fox’s gifted histrionics.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
According to statements from the lawmakers involved, the core issue is security.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Call it manifestation, call it delusion (lovingly), call it a coping mechanism for ambition, but dressing for your future self is quietly becoming one of the most powerful styling frameworks of this moment.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Apr. 2026
-
For more of the science behind optimism and manifestation, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 6 Apr. 2026.
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