nature

noun

ˈnā-chər How to pronounce nature (audio)
Definition of naturenext
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
as in disposition
one's characteristic attitude or mood a boy of a quiet and shy nature

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is some artists maintain that color, light, and shadow are the very nature of painting

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
  1. self
  2. wilderness
  3. kind
  4. disposition
  5. essence
  6. universe
  7. personality
  8. temperament
Noun
  • As of filling out this form: My self and my wife and my parents.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • That might be her 20-something self’s stance on her agency in the moment, but the woman looking back in her late 40s surveys the landscape with clear-eyed ownership.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of self
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
Definition of wilderness
Noun
  • They’re elevated off the ground and deep enough to grow flowers or veggies of all kinds.
    — Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of kind
Noun
  • Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
  • They would otherwise be returned to the family of the deceased person for final disposition.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of disposition
Noun
  • Pretty much, Orji’s focus for the live format isn’t to recreate what’s been done before, but making the experience her own while staying true to the essence of the show.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Accompanied by sweeping string arrangements and powerful blaring horns, the song encapsulates the essence of modern mariachi while staying rooted in its timeless traditions.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of essence
Noun
  • After April 15, the studio is done—officially stepping away from both this game and the Dungeons & Dragons universe altogether.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Superman marks the first event film of the new DC universe.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of universe
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
  • Think of it as a real-life WALL-E, but with even more personality.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of personality
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
Definition of temperament

Phrases Containing nature

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naturals
nature
natures
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Cite this Entry

“Nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nature. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nature

Nglish: Translation of nature for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nature

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