1
as in essences
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in entities
one that has a real and independent existence
the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of substances
Historic fire data showed about 20% of properties still contain toxic substances above California’s benchmarks for residential properties.
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Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Though cocaine, which was legal in the 19th century, was the vice of many in the book, many other substances make an appearance, including cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, acid, painkillers and even yellow paint.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
These substances are crucial in producing everything from electric vehicle batteries to cutting-edge military hardware — vital currency in the global tech battle with China and others.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Many people wait for the ‘right moment’ to begin changing their relationship with substances, but that moment rarely arrives on its own, Franz explains.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
If left to build up on the skin, these substances can make skin look and feel dull or irritated.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
While plants primarily produce them to ward off predators, these potent substances are also found in certain fungi and even some species of frogs.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
That complaint alleges Boley possessed precursor substances with the intent to unlawfully manufacture a destructive device or bacteriological weapon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Some researchers, like Lembke, have questioned whether alcohol is simply being replaced by other substances, which would undercut the assumption that young people are making healthier choices.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
Noun
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Skin care leads the conversation, alongside a growing focus on niche fragrances, refined essences and wellness treatments.—
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And this year’s lineup is loaded with glow-boosting icons—from milky toners and hydrating essences to overnight masks that make your skin feel like a cloud.—
Noun
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There are thousands of entities across the state that receive property taxes, including school districts, cities, and county governments.—
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This would affect revenue from any new businesses or entities established within the entire STAR bond district area and any increase in revenue from existing businesses.—
Noun
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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.—
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The world features beautifully ethereal landscapes as well as industrial facilities that feel functional and fully realized despite their alien natures.—
Noun
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By learning from video that captures how humans interact with objects, NEO can generalize its behavior across unfamiliar environments and tasks.—
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Just don’t place fragile items and objects that could be damaged by extreme heat or cold in your trunk unless your car is staying put and the weather is mild.—
Noun
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However, Chuba Hubbard’s calf injury in the second quarter of the season opened things up for Dowdle to emerge.—
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Jeff Klaiber took those things and molded Lehman into an Olympian, at times pushing boundaries and pushing Lehman to the brink.—
Noun
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The actors participated in a two months of workshops and lived in North Indian villages to immerse themselves in the characters’ realities.—
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Among other things, Sandbrook said, the practical realities from an architectural standpoint make an on-campus stadium nearly impossible.—
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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