SIGNIFICANCE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'significance' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence , importance , moment , and weight . While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized. // the treaty's significance

Q: When is 'consequence' a more appropriate choice than 'significance'?

The words consequence and significance can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects. // the style you choose is of little consequence

Q: In what contexts can 'importance' take the place of 'significance'?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone. // a region with no cities of importance

Q: When would 'moment' be a good substitute for 'significance'?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. // a decision of great moment

Q: Where would 'weight' be a reasonable alternative to 'significance'?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. // the argument carried no weight with the judge

significance

noun

sig-ˈni-fi-kən(t)s

Definition of significance

as in meaning

the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action the significance of that word is much debated by biblical scholars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in importance

the quality or state of being important the political significance of the special commission's report

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun significance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence, importance, moment, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

When is consequence a more appropriate choice than significance?

The words consequence and significance can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

In what contexts can importance take the place of significance?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When would moment be a good substitute for significance?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would weight be a reasonable alternative to significance?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

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 significance My purpose was never to diminish emancipation’s significance but to understand what freedom meant for the people who experienced it. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 Prince George, who turned 13 on Wednesday, will join classmates at the all-boys boarding school, which holds a deep significance for the British Royal Family and has a long-standing dress code for all of its students, royal or not. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026 But the significance of the Seahawks deal extends beyond the financials. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Crump said at the news conference that the independent pathologist also noted the significance of Wells' death occurring in or around a body of water; Wells could swim, but the circumstances surrounding his death are still not clear. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for significance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance

Noun

Having different risk scenarios is useful to understand what might happen, and AI in its widest meaning is good at assessing risks.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
However, art has a funny way of multiplying meanings, often above and beyond what its creators intended, and the Headington Shark is a case in point.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026

Definition of meaning

Noun

The outgoing president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, Weijia Jiang, introduced Trump after discussing the importance of press freedom.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The sixth chapter emphasizes the importance of Torah study, and it was added later, likely by about the 9th century.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Definition of importance

Noun

In that sense, the conditions included in the Garnacho deal must have a realistic possibility of not occurring in order for the deal to be recorded, at least initially, as a loan.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
With real couples, the sense of love and familiarity was already present.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

The signatories cited 2025 Karachi EPZ data, which indicated imports from the United States alone reached a quarter of a billion dollars for further processing and value addition.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
The West Coast is much more reliant on imports than other parts of the country.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of import

Noun

Now protesters are using that same platform to mock his administration, ridicule pro-government television news coverage, transform confrontation with police into viral content and seize control of the online narrative.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
The contents of the sixth chapter were initially Baraitot, oral teachings passed down alongside the Mishnah.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Definition of content

Noun

Learning from others Other countries that have experienced higher magnitude earthquakes with less damage, can serve as models to follow, Martinez Cruzado said.

— Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
These desperate struggles against the encroaching elements are merely a brief interlude before the situation unravels into a disaster of an entirely different magnitude.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of magnitude

Noun

The reveal of Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in Hall H in 2016 was big, not just as a casting announcement but as an unprecedented statement of intent.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
The council also passed a resolution establishing the city's formal intent to issue up to $14 million in water and sewer revenue bonds to finance system-wide improvements.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2026

Definition of intent

Noun

Kohberger alleges that his attorneys withheld potentially exculpatory evidence, misled him about the consequences of pleading guilty and relied on threats and false promises to persuade him to accept the deal.

— Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Barring a major global intervention to curb climate change, European businesses can expect more record-breaking heat waves in the years ahead and, as a consequence, growing pressure for safe workspaces from regulators and workers alike.

— Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Definition of consequence

Cite this Entry

Style

“Significance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significance. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of significance

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