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 The meeting began with the defense secretary addressing the committee, stressing the importance of a steady, affordable domestic energy supply, which is currently under threat. Dan Peck, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026 Their importance has diminished because audiences have access to all the stars. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026 Kennedy knows the importance of this firsthand. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Apr. 2026 Apple has been pushing production to India and Vietnam, but China is still of central importance. Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos acknowledged the significance of that fact, saying there’s no one more deserving of that honor than Sale.
    Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Its personal significance is trumpeted by the fact that Haghighi plays one of the two lead roles, a man named Kaveh who is being driven by a woman, Leila (Taraneh Alidoosti), to a remote, wintry mountain region.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, imports 94% of its energy, according to a 2024 report from the Korea Energy Statistics Information Systems, and almost 72% of its crude oil comes from the Middle East.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Brazil's diesel prices surged by more than 20% in March, prompting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to propose import subsidies through May.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The consequences were manifold.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This gap has real consequences, the authors argue.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As a result, gravitational radiation is much weaker in magnitude compared to electromagnetic radiation, and much harder to detect.
    Big Think, Big Think, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Normally, legislation of this magnitude, carefully negotiated to attract support from both sides of the aisle, would require support from the president to make it to final passage.
    Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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