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 caustic nature of memory and secrets seizes Russell’s fascination. Lauren Leblanc, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025 My good looks … and my humility (smile), my outgoing nature, and my willingness to try new things. Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025 Instead, the non-weight-bearing nature of biking may be more comfortable. Tim Petrie, Dpt, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025 Kevin Durant has named Angel Reese as his favorite female athlete of all-time, further fueling speculation regarding the nature of their relationship. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Mar. 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
  • The adaptive leader integrates I (self), we (others) and it (task and purpose) viewpoints.
    Hylke Faber, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That is my passion, being able to get out in the wilderness, have these authentic experiences and share them.
    Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Science Behind Why Wolves Run In Packs Picture a pack of wolves in the wilderness stalking prey.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps the largest of its kind was a retrospective analysis that appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2002.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • These wooden stakes, used to impede attackers, are the first of their kind to be recovered from this period.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That makes the continent's political disposition critical to the future of freedom.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • People with a 'sweet tooth' have sweeter dispositions Journal of Research in Personality.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 28 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
  • The rankings for the catchers listed here are for standard 5×5 Roto leagues (mixed universe).
    Gene McCaffrey, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The result is an approachable yet luxurious experience aimed at attracting Louis Vuitton fans, casual shoppers and locals alike, planting the seed of a future purchase after being immersed into the brand’s universe.
    Clara Ludmir, Forbes, 10 Mar. 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
  • In that email, which was attached to Wednesday’s meeting announcement, the person wrote that Campbell didn’t have the temperament for the job and the position should go either to a city employee with more experience or to someone who’s currently managing one of the other San Diego County cities.
    Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Drizella’s fiery temperament and determination to always get her way fit the bold nature of Aries perfectly.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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