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 The nature of anthologies means there are bound to be hits and misses, but even the lesser episodes of the show can be oddly entrancing. Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Apr. 2025 From plants to animals, these names evoke the beauty and resilience of nature. Fiona Tapp, Parents, 10 Apr. 2025 Whether influenced by the vastness of space, the imaginative worlds of science fiction, the influence of pop culture, or the beauty of nature, futuristic baby names signify a sense of wonder and possibility. Fiona Tapp, Parents, 10 Apr. 2025 The core materials are tied to nature and work together to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a Nancy Meyers film. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nature
Noun
  • Christina Ricci is calling the fashion police on her younger self.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Here, 19 Forbes Coaches Council members share strategies introverted leaders can use to effectively manage teams while remaining their authentic selves.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The division between who wants to be rescued and who wants to stay in the wilderness also gets bigger.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The plan for the night was to film the climactic scene where Dr. Leo Marvin (Dreyfuss) takes Bob Wiley (Murray) into the wilderness and straps 20 pounds of explosives to his chest in a last-ditch attempt to finally remove the patient from his life.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Thanks to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on the country, that success story might be the last of its kind, for a while at least.
    Angela Watercutter, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The study, believed to be the first of its kind, was published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine by a team at Oklahoma State University (OSU).
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • True leadership is not about suppressing challenges with a sunny disposition but embracing them with a clear-eyed perspective that encourages growth and connection.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Luis carried the disposition of a player living and feeling every second of the worst game of his life with a long face and sad eyes at all times.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The 90's and early 2000's aesthetic of the jacket, along with the essence of athleisure and the elongating effect of Jenner's white socks, allowed the sneakers to stand out as the center of attention.
    Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2025
  • For him, the subtle nature of purple captures an essence that used to be seen in old movies.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The women in the Beatles’ universe played a major role in the group’s personal and musical journey: A constellation of girlfriends, wives, trysts, and exes influenced each band member, their songs, and the band’s direction.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The reason for Canada’s anti-American (anti-Gilead, but that’s a distinction without a difference in the show’s universe, and maybe ours) sentiment in season five is almost the opposite of what’s driving Canadian fans to boo our national anthem at sporting events.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This translates into Jan having to collaborate with many versions of himself that have unique skills and far too many conflicting personalities defined by past events.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The position better suited her personality.
    Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Åberg’s management team wanted to find the perfect caddie — experienced, with the right temperament — to pair with its client, an uber-talented rookie learning how to be a pro.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Lago, the incumbent mayor who prides himself on his responsiveness to residents and sustainability initiatives, has faced scrutiny for his temperament, as well as his former ties to a controversial developer.
    Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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