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 Meanwhile, margins in the government securities industry could continue to come under pressure especially given the industry’s highly fragmented nature. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 28 May 2025 Political prisoner in Cuba From a young age, Martínez was driven by nature and by circumstance. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025 If your ideal unplugged getaway involves both spa time and being surrounded by nature, there's a perfect spot in southwest Virginia. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 May 2025 Each word must be in the right place and of the right nature. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 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
  • Yifei Liu's Mulan weighs dishonoring her family vs. saving her father (Tzi Ma) and defending the country from invaders, and the tale is an eye-popping fantasy adventure about embracing one's self.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • Dominguez, seated next to Hutchinson at the defense table, watched intently as his videotaped self struggled to answer the detective’s questions.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of self
Noun
  • Everglades National Park Everglades City Experience Florida’s wild, untamed beauty at the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
  • The remote area was one of few wilderness districts in the Forest Service at the time, and the primitive requirements there forced employees to work closely and forged a deep sense of pride in their work, Williams said.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 May 2025
Definition of wilderness
Noun
  • The front office and coaching staff can probably pencil Bobby McMann into a third-line left wing position and Scott Laughton into a fourth-line role of some kind.
    — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • My family always preferred the flaky kind made with a cream cheese dough, and apricot, raspberry, prune and sweet cheese were our fillings of choice.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Definition of kind
Noun
  • Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an attorney and policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute previously mentioned that the database doesn’t always have the final dispositions of cases.
    — Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 15 May 2025
  • Shutt says Ruby has the sweetest disposition and knows which office staff member has the best treats.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of disposition
Noun
  • Palpatine returns Though his body may have been destroyed during the Battle of Endor, Palpatine survived in secret for years by transferring his essence to clone bodies.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Penny Hotel Williamsburg The intimate Penny Hotel, nestled in Williamsburg's core, perfectly captures the neighborhood's artistic essence.
    — Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Definition of essence
Noun
  • This outcome means that sprawling universes go well beyond the MCU.
    — Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • First of all, Chicago itself exists in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of universe
Noun
  • In the second half, Pacers entertainment staff handed the microphone to former Indianapolis Colts punter and ESPN personality Pat McAfee, who introduced Knicks fans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet – all of them in attendance in Indianapolis.
    — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • Location: De Beauvoir Town Hackney Warehouse Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb Position yourself in the heart of Hackney (between London Fields and Victoria Park) at this stylish apartment that’s full of personality and natural light.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 May 2025
Definition of personality
Noun
  • Jarecki hints that Assange can be his own worst enemy by displaying a mercurial temperament and superior attitude.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 May 2025
  • How to give your dog a bath at home The proper way to bathe your dog varies depending on the size and temperament of your pup.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 May 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 4 Jun. 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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