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 For nearly four decades, Schagrin sought reparations from Germany and spoke to students and community groups about the importance of Holocaust education. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026 Reliability becomes even more critical in special-needs transportation environments, where coordination, communication, and timing often carry heightened importance for students, caregivers, and school systems. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 2 June 2026 In a bid to create richer content, producers stressed the importance of human interaction and having conversations with talent directly, and early on, in the process of creating a show. Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 2 June 2026 First impressions start before guests even walk through the front door, which means having your landscape shipshape is of the utmost importance. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • The strikes have also targeted regions with biblical significance, threatening historical and archaeological sites.
    Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • The president has pressured the Fed to cut rates, while Warsh has recently downplayed the significance and accuracy of the PCE gauge.
    D. Brian Blank, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • The Indian currency has been under pressure from its rising import bill and sustained capital outflows, even prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appeal to citizens to help conserve foreign exchange.
    Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 June 2026
  • Indeed, those connected services and their possible links to the Chinese state were scary enough to US lawmakers to drum up bipartisan support for new regulations that bar their import, absent an authorization from the Department of Commerce.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Camilla and William are reportedly aligned in their desire for even more consequences for Andrew and potentially, the rest of his family.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 May 2026
  • In that sense, today’s audiences aren’t rejecting movie history so much as actively excavating it — but that feedback loop could have some unintended consequences for older creators.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Eisenhower, in particular, felt the magnitude of D-day.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
  • But their data showed this substitution was concentrated in urban areas and didn’t fully account for the magnitude of the effects.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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