1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed
many thought that the mayor's speech lacked substance because specific proposals for solving the city's problems were few
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property
measure the worth of a person not by his earthly substance but by his good deeds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in object
one that has a real and independent existence
the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 substance
Inmates in the program treat substance abuse issues with medication.
—
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Anderson has been accused of many things: putting style before substance, being too sardonic as to lack emotionality, leaning too hard into nostalgia, becoming too fastidious for his own good.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Bottega Veneta has long rejected the flash of logos for the substance of craft, an energy that mirrors Buchanan’s own approach to fashion through his brand, Sansovino 6.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 30 May 2025
On a personal level, attorneys may suffer from strained relationships, substance abuse and even suicidal ideation.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Anderson has been accused of many things: putting style before substance, being too sardonic as to lack emotionality, leaning too hard into nostalgia, becoming too fastidious for his own good.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Bottega Veneta has long rejected the flash of logos for the substance of craft, an energy that mirrors Buchanan’s own approach to fashion through his brand, Sansovino 6.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 30 May 2025
On a personal level, attorneys may suffer from strained relationships, substance abuse and even suicidal ideation.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
-
The potential for chaos and confusion in an evacuation became all-too-apparent last December, when a magnitude 7 earthquake struck about 30 miles off the Humboldt County coast.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
-
The Trump administration has expressed interest in exploring psychedelics for their potential in treating PTSD and other debilitating mental health issues, various officials have shared.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
That really captured the essence of the dark ages and the medieval world.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Add these picks to your cart to capture Charlotte’s essence before the new season of And Just Like That… is through.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Estimates suggest that over $124 trillion is poised to change hands as Baby Boomers transfer their wealth to the next generation.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are also examples of how profit—and the influence and wealth that come with it—can be leveraged to improve not just a company or an industry, but the entire world.—
Alyson Shontell,
Fortune,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 May 2025
-
The discovery marks the first time that such objects, called long-period transients, have been detected in X-rays, the team said in announcing the findings.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
The collected material makes a persuasive case for self-forgiveness.—
Dayna Tortorici,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
Drawing from this material, Çifci identifies early-life patterns of trauma, loss and parenting styles that may help explain the emergence of narcissistic traits in adulthood.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The Kansas State coach demands aggressiveness from his players, but Inoue’s nature is to avoid risks in the game.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
The competitive nature of the auditions sends the message that there’s always someone else willing to do the work and take your spot.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
In the complaint, Aaron asks that neither party be awarded alimony and that both parties' community assets and debts are in accordance with Nevada law.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The dots represented arts organizations, creative businesses, studios, galleries, performance venues, and cultural and historic assets.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For example, there were separate legal entities for KFC Asia and KFC Europe.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
These are very different entities than NPR and PBS—some have roots in the counter-propaganda operations of the Second World War and the Cold War, and all of them are still seen as tools of U.S. soft power—but they are designed to be editorially independent, and often do produce good journalism.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share