Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

of the essence

ADJECTIVE
prerequisite
Synonyms
STRONG
essential expedient imperative mandatory requisite
WEAK
called-for important indispensable necessitous needful obligatory required vital
Antonyms
STRONG
inessential optional secondary unnecessary voluntary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Speed is of the essence because, nearly a month in, disruptions are spreading.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Time is of the essence when it comes to making these refund-enhancing tax-planning moves, and filing your 2025 tax return, according to Greene-Lewis.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 4, 2025

It says the government's announcement is "vital and long-overdue", but time is of the essence.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2025

This time of year depictions of the Baby Jesus in a manger are everywhere as a commercial cue, an object of worship, as a depiction of the essence of innocence.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2024

This need to be always on guard was an unmeasured expenditure of energy, the slow siphoning of the essence.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates