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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substance
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now a common topic in conversations about drinking water.
—
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Tom said that his granddaughter had substance abuse issues and previously sought treatment.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Partnering with the county, mental health and substance providers and the CARE Court program is imperative.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
This level of assurance is especially important when making life changing decisions related to mental health and substance use treatment.
—Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Tom said that his granddaughter had substance abuse issues and previously sought treatment.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Partnering with the county, mental health and substance providers and the CARE Court program is imperative.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
This level of assurance is especially important when making life changing decisions related to mental health and substance use treatment.
—Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
-
Children are seen as neither a treasure nor the future flag bearers of this country’s immense potential and responsibility.—
Randi Weingarten,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Along with the launch of its chatbot for clinicians last month, OpenAI also published a wish list that the company described as a blueprint for unlocking AI’s potential to change the broader health care system.—
Brittany Trang,
STAT,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
In his first Inaugural Address, on March 4, 1861, with seven states having already seceded from the Union, Lincoln proclaimed the essence of secession to be anarchy.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The parks commissioner, the infamous Henry Stern, loved the version of the plan which, in essence, extended the Park’s south end entrance.—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The groups cited a Vanguard study that found the retirement wealth of nonprofit workers could increase at least $525 million annually if CITs were allowed in 403(b) plans.—
Taylor Millard,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
-
Jackson is accused of wiring the employee $168,000, and Mayers claims this was another attempt to falsely report his wealth during bankruptcy proceedings.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Participants learned the locations of fifty objects; each was associated with a distinct noise.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
There could be as many as ~1017 icy, round objects in hydrostatic equilibrium in the Milky Way galaxy alone, most of which are likely not bound to a parent star at all.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My prediction is that within 50 years, biology will be the engineering material of choice, and many of the people reading this article will become bioengineers.—
Eliza Strickland,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The material is debuting at the Footwear Innovation and Technology Summit in Vietnam, with commercial availability beginning this month.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Using magnetic fields, this system enables power transfer to electric ships without physical metal contact, shielding vital components from nature’s corrosive elements.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
-
Given the mercurial nature of American trade policy, EU Parliamentary officials want to see the Turnberry deal strengthened with protections for European markets, including a provision that would suspend the trade agreement if Washington imposes new duties and an expiration date of March 31, 2028.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Exxon and Venezuela had a major legal battle after Maduro’s predecessor, the late President Hugo Chavez, confiscated the company’s assets in the South American country.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Her legal, political and administrative skills have proven to be assets in her new job.—
East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jordan’s presence and affiliation with a brand is more powerful than any other entity in sports, and near the top in all entertainment media.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
-
Rather than functioning solely as cost centers, every government entity would be required to generate revenue, contributing positively to the state’s budget and fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility throughout the administration.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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