in essence

phrase

: in or by its very nature : essentially, basically
was in essence an honest person

Examples of in essence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Also, council members currently must pay into the county's pension plan, but according to Hallam, Subsection 7C in essence says they are currently prohibited from receiving a pension. — John Shumway, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Our top CosRx products CosRx doesn’t just make snail mucin in essence form; this best-selling moisturizer is another way to try the benefits of snail secretion filtrate. — Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 Returning to the White House to lower fuel economy standards on automakers — in essence, putting the environment in harm’s way. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026 Kalra’s bill would have added, in essence, an official recognition to state law that California’s water rights system ignores how land was taken from Native Americans during colonization. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in essence

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in essence was in 1882

Rhymes for in essence

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Browse Nearby Words

in especial
in essence
inessential
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Cite this Entry

“In essence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20essence. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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