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
Local landmarks are, in essence, silent witnesses to past eras, kingdoms, and tastes.
—
Katherine McGrath, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
More housing is the key to ensuring the Bay Area’s tech industry stays on top — and time is of the essence.
—Christopher Thornberg, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
In essence, he could be treated as an $8 million expiring contract.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
In essence, The Rock is holding WrestleMania 41, its potential main event and all of its top matches in the palm of his hand.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for essence 
Katherine McGrath, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
More housing is the key to ensuring the Bay Area’s tech industry stays on top — and time is of the essence.
—Christopher Thornberg, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
In essence, he could be treated as an $8 million expiring contract.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
In essence, The Rock is holding WrestleMania 41, its potential main event and all of its top matches in the palm of his hand.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for essence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essence
Noun
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Neither are brutal players by nature, nor is Logan Stanley who’s been Winnipeg’s most consistent attempt at a third-pairing left defenceman.—
Murat Ates,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
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Catholic natural law operates on the premise that humans are created in God’s image, and social order and domestic tranquility require that humans understand, accept and honor the qualities ordained by nature, especially the distinction between male and female.—
Peter H. Schwartz,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Financial success and core values can go hand in hand.—
Goro Gupta,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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That competition has made securing investments and partnerships all the more important in large part because of the sizable hardware and energy needs required to hone the models at the core of advanced AI.—
Rob Wile,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her lasting legacy is one of style, yes, but also substance—something that demands thoughtful, measured tribute, not mimicry.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2025
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Environmental factors, like growing up with substance use and mental health problems, instability due to a household member being incarcerated or growing up in a household with parental separation, can also impact children’s brain development and decision-making.—
Rachel Hale,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Being around you was like being in connection with such a deep place of heart and soul.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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The supermodel and her lookalike daughter took the same brief to heart when choosing outfits for Kate’s 51st birthday party at China Tang at The Dorchester.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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By the season’s end, his yard transforms into a showcase capturing the spirit and soul of the Chiefs’.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
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The singer, who was known for her cool mix of rock, soul and Indian music styles, was part of the an early incarnation of iconic S.F. rock act The Great Society — which also featured a vocalist by the name of Grace Slick, who’d later reach rock royalty status as a member of Jefferson Airplane.—
Jim Harrington,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The first lady, who has consistently championed American designers throughout her time in the public eye, stayed true to her style roots with the Ralph Lauren creation.—
Ty Gaskins,
WWD,
20 Jan. 2025
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Set plants only deep enough such that their root collars (where branches meet the root system) are level with or slightly above the surrounding soil level.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This is all a manifestation of what economists call the price elasticity of demand.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
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This is the manifestation of the duality of January 20, 2025.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her show at Hauser & Wirth in Chelsea is a body of work made in response to this bewildering kernel of human-and-galactic history.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2025
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Late November meant harvest season on the reservation, and the driver offloaded yellow corn kernels, gathered from the nearby fields, into the grain silos before pulling his big rig away.—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,
The Denver Post,
30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essence. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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