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 Area communities, which receive a share of the tourism revenues, have been educated about the importance of conservation. ABC News, 24 July 2026 Remarkable as this beginning was, her importance as a champion of unknown artists does not end there. John Yau, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026 In the panel, Briner talked about the importance of creating a community, as Midorya did. Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 24 July 2026 Catching mischievous agents in real time The Hugging Face incident reveals the importance of real-time monitoring. Harry Booth, Time, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • As a prototype for mass-timber towers of the future, this is a moment of global significance.
    Adam Williams July 24, New Atlas, 24 July 2026
  • The quiet surroundings belie the significance of what is being built there.
    Elsa Ohlen,Greg Kennedy, CNBC, 23 July 2026
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
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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