Synonym Chooser

How does the noun significance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence, importance, moment, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," 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 consequence a more appropriate choice than significance?

The words consequence and significance 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 importance take the place of significance?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When would moment be a good substitute for significance?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would weight be a reasonable alternative to significance?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, 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 significance The Erie Canal has held a complicated mix of economic, political, and cultural significance, historian Justin Nordstrom argues. JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025 These flags come from a slew of secondary characters who abruptly rise and fade in significance as Guy tries to figure out where his loyalties should lie. Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025 This confirms that the Scythian animal style first developed in the east, later expanding its iconography and symbolic significance to include deer, griffins, boars, and more. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025 Many of the California Design furniture examples that Ilse Ruocco offered for sale in 1950, now roughly 75 years old and showing plenty of vintage wear and tear, continue to enjoy extended lives in the hands of collectors, dealers and museums who value their significance and scarcity. Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for significance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance
Noun
  • Now armed with a new perspective on her own life and her father’s, the past takes on new meaning.
    Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • To understand the soul may have required silk, cheesecloth, cotton wool, even offal—but these mundane materials, Warner shows us, held meaning.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Historically, at the Bernabeu, the coach and their own tactical ideas have never been of primary importance.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The sessions will continue in the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a private island sanctuary in the Bahamas, where guests will learn about coral restoration and marine protection, before sailing the turquoise waters with Horn to see the importance of protecting the delicate underwater ecosystems.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This, plus the ongoing calls among family members, maintains a powerful sense of human connection and love.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The move turned out to be a blessing for Harrison, who has felt a sense of relief since leaving the dating show.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Between 2020 and 2023, 70% of US imports of rare earth compounds and metals came from the country, according to a US Geological Survey report.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats and Republicans can't agree on spending measures that would pay federal workers and save safety-net programs from running out of money — while GOP lawmakers are beefing over beef imports.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps even the idea of an upscale magazine in the mold of Vanity Fair is simply less meaningful in a contemporary media landscape where celebrities constantly churn out their own content and popular culture is fragmented across a landscape of mid-sized creators.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Physicists were baffled as to why this material would suddenly stop conducting current once the tellurium content reached approximately 30 percent—a change that its basic chemical composition could not explain.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But the Sooners already have two losses, so the magnitude of that win might not be as great as beating Alabama or Vanderbilt.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The least convincing aspect of the show is the conspiracy itself, which seems oversimplified for a scandal of its magnitude.
    Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many equine businesses ultimately agree with the county’s intent of preserving agricultural lands, but fear the unforeseen consequences that could put their livelihoods — and community — at risk.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Last year, the studio announced its intent to produce more English-language projects as part of its bid to broaden its reach.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Recent research suggests that young men in low-income communities are particularly affected by financial consequences tied to sports gambling.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Then there’s the commercial consequences.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Significance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significance. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on significance

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!