SUBSTANCES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

substances

noun

plural of substance

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

Relevance

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

nonentities

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 substances Kratom and 7-OH drew media attention in Los Angeles County last year when both substances, along with others, were linked to the deaths of six people, prompting state officials to pull associated products off the shelves. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Researchers warned that a failure could release waste containing toxic substances, including arsenic and mercury, potentially affecting Indigenous communities more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) downstream. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Running Tide had struggled to grow kelp offshore at scale and shifted toward deployments of wood chips mixed with alkaline substances, said former general manager Kristinn Hróbjartsson. — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 This appears to be one of many unfortunate instances across the country where congressional offices have received mail containing unknown, suspicious substances. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 The list restricts hazardous substances from intentional use in production. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Forever chemicals are a family of synthetic substances that do not rot, rust, or break down in sunlight or soil, until now. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 Human biology is complicated, which is why most substances that show promise in early experiments fail in clinical trials. — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Examples of ultraprocessing include separating whole foods into substances, chemically formulating foods or using cosmetic additives such as food dyes. — Garrett M. Broad, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances

Noun

Finish Skin Prep With a Toner or Essence After cleansing, a toning step can remove any leftover impurities from the pores and balance the skin’s pH level, while essences—which have a slightly thicker texture—tend to be more hydrating.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
For the skincare enthusiast who knows her serums from her essences, an exfoliating cleanser from DIME Beauty can be a thoughtful addition to her routine.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of essences

Noun

Donaldson, however, is among the few YouTubers entering the most recent maturation of creators-turned-entrepreneurs because of the maintenance of multiple different corporate entities.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Wyoming is home to roughly 900,000 active business entities, according to the Wyoming Secretary of State, despite having a population of only about 590,000 people.

— Brian New, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of entities

Noun

Dark matter and dark energy, also not yet directly observed, together are the source of the vast majority of energy in the universe, but their physical natures are unknown.

— Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Create characters built around lifepaths, natures, clan traits, and merits.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 July 2026

Definition of natures

Noun

Throughout the building, a selection of artworks and unique objects is meant to reflect the house’s longstanding relationship with British creativity and the arts.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
In one instance, a simple game of catch later evolved into variations that included multiple objects, timing rules, and even juggling.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of objects

Noun

Born in 1888, Jim Casey spent his life, starting at the tender age of eleven, thinking about how to deliver things more efficiently.

— Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
New York — Brett Smiley was elected mayor of Providence in 2022 on a pledge to build more housing and get things done in Rhode Island’s capital city.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of things

Noun

But critics, like the Civic Federation, are denouncing the budget plan, calling it an unacceptable abdication of responsibility to meet the fiscal realities facing the city.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Growing up in Wyoming’s rugged realities left no illusion that humans are solely in control.

— Amelia Rose Barlow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of realities

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substance

substances

substandard

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Style

“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of substances

noun

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