Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

significance

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of significance

1 the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action

  • the significance of that word is much debated by biblical scholars
Synonyms of significance

content, denotation, drift, import, intent, intention, meaning, purport, sense, signification
Words Related to significance

connotation

clue, cue, hint, implication, indication, inkling, intimation, suggestion

message, tenor, theme

bottom, essence, essentiality, nature, soul, spirit, stuff

acceptance, acceptation, definition

burden, crux, gist

core, heart, kernel, marrow, nub, nucleus, pith, point, quick

matter, motif, motive, question, subject, topic

2 the quality or state of being important

  • the political significance of the special commissionʼs report
Synonyms of significance

account, consequence, import, importance, magnitude, moment, momentousness, weight, weightiness
Words Related to significance

celebrity, distinction, eminence, fame, note, noteworthiness, notoriety, preeminence, prominence, renown

store, substance, substantiveness, value, worth, worthiness

gravity, seriousness

authority, control, dominion, mastery, potency, power, sway

mark, name, report, reputation, repute

centrality, essentiality, essentialness

cachet, position, prestige, rank, standing, stature, status

glory, greatness, honor, illustriousness
Near Antonyms of significance

paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness

discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, shame

anonymity

obscurity
Antonyms of significance

insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality

Synonym Discussion of significance

importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance 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
consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.
    • the style you choose is of little consequence
moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.
    • a decision of great moment
weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.
    • the argument carried no weight with the judge
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

Learn More about significance

  1. Dictionary: Definition of significance Spanish Central: Translation of significance Nglish: Translation of significance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of significance for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up significance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games