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 next

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

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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

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as in disposition

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

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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

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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 The reasons for the parole board's denial were the nature and seriousness of the crime and Smith's institutional record of offenses. —

Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025 Studies show that the state’s agricultural valley is consuming twice as much groundwater as nature is returning through rain and snow. —

Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025 Given the extreme nature of this market overreaction, a bounce is imminent and VST being at a support area provides clues as to where a relief rally may emerge. —

Nishant Pant, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025 Inspired by the elegance and strength of bamboo forests, the tower integrates biophilic principles to create an indoor-outdoor sanctuary, fostering well-being and connection to nature. —

Perennial Holdings Contributor, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for nature

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature

Noun

But once the horse was returned to Joseph last summer, the horse blossomed back to his old self.

— Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Berg has been here before, in terms of cinematic postmortems that acknowledge shadow selves while accentuating the positive, with her 2015 film Janis: Little Girl Blue.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2025