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 In practice, Google made the search box feel like the front door to the whole web, with the same intrinsic, vital importance that a front door serves in a home. Alan Bradley, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 More to Explore Mindful of the cultural importance of orthodox Islam, Singaporean practitioners respond to religious authorities’ objections in various ways. H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2026 Any fintech that underestimates the importance of compliance will struggle to keep up as regulations evolve quickly. Zaki Farooq, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Over 9,400 passengers go through the 11th Street Station to ride the L each weekday, SEPTA said, highlighting the importance of accessibility. Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • City staff are balancing the bar’s cultural and historical significance with concerns raised by the Los Angeles Unified School District and residents about parking, noise, traffic and public safety.
    Isaac Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Jim Beam was tapping into that because there’s a cultural significance to football.
    Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But only a tiny fraction of food imports to the US are actually inspected there.
    Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • While Crutchfield’s business was soon dominating Molt’s—raking in millions in reptile sales and trades every year—his reckless spending and imports soon put him squarely in the Feds’ crosshairs.
    Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This frantic race risks sacrificing AI safety, cutting corners, and increasing risk tolerance, potentially leading to more severe consequences than intended.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The influencer had amassed 50,000 followers, but not by respecting the boundaries of personal space — let alone the legal consequences of non-consensual filming inside a changing room.
    Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But pulling off a show of this magnitude is no easy feat, especially when all of the parts are moving quickly.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Today, in many of the world’s wealthiest enclaves, transactions of that magnitude are simply the starting point.
    Mark David, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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