1
as in substances
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 roots
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 essences
The in-store assortment includes hair essences and hydrating mists from Narka; PDRN and exosome scalp serums from Lilyeve, plus other offerings from La’dor, Healing Bird, Refilled and Growus, which are all priced under $40 and focus on innovative formats and ingredients.
—
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
For those whose skin leans on the drier side, year-round, hydration flooding with essences, toners, and ampoules maximizes hydration without adding unwanted heaviness.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
The spa uses oils and essences from the hotel's medicinal garden, while the treatment rooms are set within the former convent's nuns' cells.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Costco and Walmart have also expanded their assortments, adding essences, serums and sheet masks as demand accelerates.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The songs pack a wide range of elements into a single track, starting with rock, pop, soul, funk, dub, club music, and rap, plus various other essences, from singer-songwriter-like qualities to music originating from Japan’s internet like Vocaloid.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
For those whose skin leans on the drier side, year-round, hydration flooding with essences, toners, and ampoules maximizes hydration without adding unwanted heaviness.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
The spa uses oils and essences from the hotel's medicinal garden, while the treatment rooms are set within the former convent's nuns' cells.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Costco and Walmart have also expanded their assortments, adding essences, serums and sheet masks as demand accelerates.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The songs pack a wide range of elements into a single track, starting with rock, pop, soul, funk, dub, club music, and rap, plus various other essences, from singer-songwriter-like qualities to music originating from Japan’s internet like Vocaloid.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essences
Noun
-
That’s because tea leaves contain tannins, complex chemical substances that give tea its astringency and dark color.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Nobel award winning scientist, Luc Montagnier has tested some of these early studies and found that certain substances, like DNA, emit electromagnetic signals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Standing knee-deep in the lo‘i, covered in mud, gently pressing roots into the earth, anchored me in a new way.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 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
-
But Lau wonders whether Horses will be able to avoid conflict, due to their inherent independent natures.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hval’s restless melodies and at-times Proustian lyrics trail cigarette smoke or the fragrance of roses toward litanies of memory, all the while deconstructing the very natures of stage performance, recording technology, and digital existence.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Previously, an English bull terrier Border collie mix was melting hearts on social media.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
For all the success Duke has had through the years, the Blue Devils have now had hearts broken by UConn three straight times in the Big Dance.—
Noah Trister,
Baltimore Sun,
29 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
-
An ancient ginkgo tree enchants longing souls across more than a century in this spellbinding cinematic triptych starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Léa Seydoux.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Innerspring mattresses have supportive cores made of metal coils and are topped with foam or other layers of padding.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The bombs’ nuclear warheads weren’t armed, but their plutonium cores were.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
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Additionally, pollination may occur during extreme summer heat, reducing kernels on your cobs.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Towns finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and seven turnovers on 8-of-12 shooting from the field in 29 minutes of action on Wednesday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The key now is to foster stronger intracontinental dialogue—turning these events from mere entry points into active hubs of exchange among artists, institutions, and audiences.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Essences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essences. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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