1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed
many thought that the mayor's speech lacked substance because specific proposals for solving the city's problems were few
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property
measure the worth of a person not by his earthly substance but by his good deeds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in object
one that has a real and independent existence
the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substance
Those looking for help with a substance use disorder can find recovery resources by visiting the Somerville Hub website, the department said.
—
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
The program will help remove accumulated debris, illegally dumped materials, and hazardous substances from the site to eliminate environmental and public health risks.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Authorities did not find any drug paraphernalia, illicit substances or beverages containing alcohol in Naroditsky’s residence.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
In the book, Vance recounts her struggle with substance use as well as his turbulent childhood in Middletown, Ohio.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
The program will help remove accumulated debris, illegally dumped materials, and hazardous substances from the site to eliminate environmental and public health risks.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Authorities did not find any drug paraphernalia, illicit substances or beverages containing alcohol in Naroditsky’s residence.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
In the book, Vance recounts her struggle with substance use as well as his turbulent childhood in Middletown, Ohio.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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Because of the potential for wintry precipitation, several schools chose to reschedule their games for Thursday, including five of the six Class 6A contests.—
Erick Taylor,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Horvath said the subway has the potential to take about one-quarter of those 400,000 daily commuters out of their cars, off the 405 and onto public transit.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In essence, this would mean that alpha particles (helium nuclei) released by decaying uranium (or some other fissile material) would be focused through engine nozzles to generate thrust.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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For the chaotic essence of Catania, head (at the crack of dawn) to its 19th-century fish market under the Archi della Marina.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The future performance of any investment or wealth management strategy, including those recommended by us, may not be profitable or suitable or prove successful.—
Heather L. Locus,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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In fact, the founder of the 1776 Project Foundation, Ryan James Girdusky, acknowledged that white wealth was at the center of his lawsuit.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Additionally, some African cultural and religious practices involved central objects that were sticks or trees, or occurred in natural spaces such as the woods.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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In addition, the researchers observed that the object shines brightly in X-rays and emits strong radio waves.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And don't wait until Saturday to try and find your bags of melting materials.—
John Shumway,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Quicker production of short-form social content from a company’s existing store of video and other material.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With minimal resort development and a strong focus on nature, hiking and local food culture, La Gomera appeals to travelers seeking a Spanish island experience that feels authentic and uncrowded, especially when visited outside peak season.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The judge said the sentence reflected the complexity of the mixed verdicts following two lengthy trials and the almost Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of Bongiovanni's career, in which the lawman racked up enough front-page accolades to fill a trophy case.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The partnerships will work with Adobe’s in-house engineers and nearly three-year-old Firefly AI model to build bespoke AI tools to create video from organizations’ in-house assets for everything from feature-length film shoots to short-form marketing and social-media posts.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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American radar installations and military assets there are essential for early warning against Russian and Chinese missile threats.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Starship is capital-intensive and when packaged with an already cash-generating business like Starlink, the risk can be absorbed within a single public entity.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Wexner and his charitable entities have given more than $200 million to Ohio State, his alma mater, which has, in turn, honored him through the naming of its football facility, medical center and the Wexner Center for Arts.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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