13
core(noun, adjective, good, quality, understanding)
12
heart(noun, law, good, part, force)
11
nub(noun, adjective, good, end, quality)
11
substance(noun, good, force, quality, understanding)
10
essence(noun, understanding, spirit, substance, idea)
10
marrow(noun, quality, character, strength, spirit)
10
meat(noun, good, force, quality, understanding)
9
gist(noun, good, force, understanding, strength)
9
pith(noun, force, quality, understanding, character)
8
kernel(noun, quality, character, strength, spirit)
7
nuts and bolts(noun, expression, idiom, feature, good)
6
center(noun, strength, effect, subject, emotion)
5
fundamental(noun, adjective, part, important, essential)
5
inwardness
5
nucleus(noun, quality, character, spirit, short)
5
quintessence(noun, quality, character, strength, spirit)
5
stuff(noun, good, force, quality, understanding)
4
basics(noun, support, substance, authority, facts)
4
bottom line(noun, expression, law, good, force)
4
crux(noun, part, quality, character, strength)
<1234510>
11 years ago|2.8k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). nitty-gritty thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/nitty-gritty/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "nitty-gritty thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/nitty-gritty/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, nitty-gritty thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/nitty-gritty/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "nitty-gritty thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/nitty-gritty/thesaurus/synonyms>