1
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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2
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

3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
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 Turf that is not designed or hybridized to thrive in arid conditions like Colorado’s mountains and high plains can need twice as much water in the summer as nature here naturally provides, said bill sponsor Rep. Karen McCormick, a Boulder Democrat. Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025 But the small-sample-size nature of football makes what works in other sports less effective. Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Is there a time of day or night at which nature's heaviest elementary particle stops obeying Einstein's rules? Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2025 Their ultimate goal is to inspire students to take care of the planet, get outdoors, and appreciate the beauty of nature. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • Alex has to hold on with both hands in order to keep her preggo self in one spot, but we’re distracted from the terror by her voiceover of the fan fiction — er, journal to Spencer — that she’s been keeping.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Heidi Klum is the face of self care brand PosheEra.
    Mikelle Street, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And somewhere in the wilderness, Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) remains free from her Catholic captors by traveling with her father, Runs His Horse (Michael Spears), but Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) is still hot on her trail.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The wilderness is also stalking the beleaguered Duttons like a limpy gazelle ripe for the picking.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • A lot of us remember the heyday and watching them and everyone likes a redemption story of some kind.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Trump signs executive order to restrict transgender care access for people under 19 The GLBT Historical Society, another plaintiff in the suit, operates a museum of LGBTQ+ history and culture in San Francisco -- the first of its kind in the U.S.
    Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Court's January 7, 2025 order granting preliminary relief is STAYED pending the disposition of the appeal.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding 30 days.
    John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Bob’s voice is so hard, and his essence is so hard.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
  • In essence, the Israelis want phase one to continue – the exchange of hostages, alive and deceased, in return for the continued release of Palestinian prisoners and the flow of higher volumes of aid into Gaza.
    Ibrahim Dahman, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Goldsman and Legendary Television are crafting a unified vision for these stories, bringing modern sensibilities to their appeal and expanding upon his success in revitalizing the Star Trek universe.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Further studies will show more precisely how on-campus early voting expands the voter universe.
    Stephen C. Phillips, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The panelists over the years have included a veritable who’s who of sports media personalities, including Jemele Hill, Bomani Jones, Mina Kimes, Woody Paige, Bill Plaschke, Bob Ryan, Sarah Spain, Pablo Torre and Clinton Yates, among many, many others.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Former Fox News personality and podcaster Dan Bongino was named FBI deputy director a short time later.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Their backgrounds and temperaments could hardly be more different, yet both sense in each other a missing piece. Neglected and roiling with rage, Darren needs to be loved but can’t face his own vulnerability.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Since epic and tragic heroes are in positions of power, temperament and action mesh.
    Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

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