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 As the season dwindles, the importance of games is magnified. Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025 But its importance extends beyond symbolism and identity. Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025 One military leader did not name Bahonar but criticized officials who downplay the importance of the hijab mandate. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025 The video took the city through the decades and highlighted the city’s importance in history and natural disaster . Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • But for all its significance, this disruption wasn’t entirely unexpected.
    Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
  • In an interview with the lyrics platform Genius, Skrilla explains the number’s significance in classically opaque rapper terms.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Since 1950, global fossil fuel consumption has grown nearly eightfold, and imports of coal, oil, and gas have risen by 12 times.
    John Kerry, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Book a table at Supernormal, Andrew McConnell’s cult Melbourne import serving up lobster rolls and ice-cold martinis against views of the Story Bridge.
    Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Ensuring officials have the mental and technological support for making big decisions in big matches with big consequences?
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • People with a nonfunctioning ANGPTL3 gene — which Natarajan says applies to about 1 in 250 people in the US — have lifelong levels of low LDL cholesterol and triglycerides without any apparent negative consequences.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But none of them came anywhere near the genocide of 2023–25 in terms of magnitude, severity and sheer brutality.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Excluding disasters, sudden surges of this magnitude in requests for food or any other need are rare at 211s, and can signal both public worry and need, as happened in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Matthew W. Kreuter, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on importance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!