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
The surgery is often needed to relieve symptoms of coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque — a waxy substance primarily consisting of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and cellular waste products — builds up in the heart and associated arteries, according to Harvard Health.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Several substances like charcoal, rock salt, cat litter, and baking soda can help to draw moisture out of the air.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
Clinicians often prescribe medications used to treat similar disorders, such as substance use disorders.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 9 July 2025
Friday offers a multi-perspective interrogation of substance use on the album, recounting the highs and lows and the gray area in between.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Several substances like charcoal, rock salt, cat litter, and baking soda can help to draw moisture out of the air.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
Clinicians often prescribe medications used to treat similar disorders, such as substance use disorders.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 9 July 2025
Friday offers a multi-perspective interrogation of substance use on the album, recounting the highs and lows and the gray area in between.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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But amid the poverty and limited means, Espinoza saw something more powerful: An area rich in human potential.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
Sometimes the products that cause injury, or have the potential to do so, may seem fairly innocent.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Noun
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With continuation funds, asset managers in essence are using new investors’ money to pay off old ones.—
Hank Tucker,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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The miscommunication that Scorsese’s blurb refers to as the essence of our crise is the product of both political tragedy and B-movie sensationalism.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Beyond the Full Moon Dinner Series, the Omni Mount Washington Resort also offers a wealth of other activities that are perfect for a full immersion into the beauty of the White Mountains.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
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There's a wealth of options these days, from little soft-sided coolers perfect for a day trip to heavy-duty, high-performance wheeled coolers with ice retention times that seem to defy the sun—like our top pick, the Yeti Tundra Haul ($450).—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Frank Lloyd Wright said that, and some of those loose objects were his own.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Similar to mesh ballet flats, another trending warm-weather shoe that plays with sheer materials, jelly sandals offer all-important airflow.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
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The actor and musician is currently touring his latest LP Based on a True Story — his first full-length album of solo material since 2005's Lost and Found — with a performance set for Cardiff Castle on Aug. 25, just days after Welsh legend Sir Tom Jones will take the stage.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Takeaway QuantumScape’s nature is binary: either revolutionary success or complete failure.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
Across the United States, in California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas, tens of thousands of tarantulas will being crawling out of their burrows in search of females – making for a fascinating, if a little creepy – display of the wonders of nature.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Noun
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In the complaint, Aaron asks that neither party be awarded alimony and that both parties' community assets and debts are in accordance with Nevada law.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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The dots represented arts organizations, creative businesses, studios, galleries, performance venues, and cultural and historic assets.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Another option is for business owners to create jobs for Indians in entities both locally and abroad, Kumar said.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
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The public response to the Bum Blockade Though some entities, such as the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, supported the Bum Blockade, others questioned the initiative’s constitutionality.—
Olatunji Osho-Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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