Definition of importancenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun importance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of importance are consequence, moment, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When can consequence be used instead of importance?

The words consequence and importance 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 moment take the place of importance?

The words moment and importance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When would significance be a good substitute for importance?

While the synonyms significance and importance are close in meaning, 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 weight a more appropriate choice than importance?

The synonyms weight and importance are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 importance Both emphasized the importance of documenting prompts and maintaining stylistic consistency across teams of freelance AI artists. Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 The importance of song and cultural survival The book of workers’ songs in Yiddish was among the few items Gildenman took with him into the forest. Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026 Human remains hold profound importance in both Judaism and Islam, which emphasize swift burial and respect for bodies. Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026 Kotb, Roker, and Casalengo all emphasized the importance of drinking water while fighting jet lag. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • The Heat are muddling along with a roster that isn’t good enough to do anything of significance, have no young player with obvious star upside, can’t create significant cap room for at least two more years and owe a future pick to the Hornets from the disastrous Terry Rozier trade.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • February marks Black History Month, a time to examine historic monuments in Dallas that still hold significance for the city's African-American community.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The accord will see free trade on almost all goods between the 27 members of the EU and India, covering everything from textiles to medicines and bringing down high import taxes for European wine and cars.
    Rajesh Roy, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • For its part, the EU won’t allow concessional tariffs on imports of Indian sugar, meat, poultry and beef products, officials Indian Trade Ministry officials said.
    Rajesh Roy, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • As tensions deepened, the consequences spread beyond the streets.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Hannah Porada, an expert in environmental justice at the Dutch branch of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), says the consequences are severe.
    Jill Newman, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The relative strength index, or RSI, is a technical indicator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price moves.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The magnitude of the admissions slowdown nationwide is hard to estimate because there’s no reliable count of the number of individual programs that quietly decided, without any central administration directive, to pull back on their numbers.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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