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 Its significance to residents, city government, and local business partners is evident. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 Alice in Borderland does something similar, with playing cards holding a huge amount of significance within the Borderlands’ twisted games. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 The day, celebrated since 1988, honors the significance of coming out or inviting others in and raises awareness about LGBTQ+ rights. Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025 Researchers had had nailed down the site’s historical and cultural importance but needed more insight into its ecological significance. Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for significance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance
Noun
  • Rory McIlroy, who has played for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup in every tournament from 2010 to 2025, previously broke down the significance of the match-up and how a potential prize fund could change the meaning of the tournament.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Finn, who has been tattooing for more than 30 years, says tattoos carry different meanings for everyone.
    Kai McNamee, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While the app is available and encouraged year-round, the week was a spotlight on the importance of joint effort when conserving the environment, Zirk said.
    Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement In 1985, the Sundance Institute took over the United States Film Festival—later changing the name to the Sundance Film Festival—expanding on Bob’s innovative vision of the importance of films finding their audiences.
    Michelle Satter, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Your goals can determine the type of account that makes the most sense.
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • For a generation living in great uncertainty—from the GFC to COVID to cost-of-living pressures—Trump’s disruptive appeal offers both a protest and a sense of control.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The department has opened numerous probes into the national security ramifications of imports of wind turbines, airplanes, semiconductors, heavy trucks, polysilicon, copper, timber and lumber and critical minerals.
    Reuters 12 hr ago, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The European Union, which was founded on open market principles, just completed an agreement with Indonesia that reduces tariffs to zero on 80% of imports.
    Christopher Smart, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The glare-free screen does black-and-white content at 300 ppi resolution, and goes down to 150 ppi for color.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This year, our content showcase features three projects that originated at MIA.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The magnitude of the moment wasn’t lost on fans.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
  • But research has projected that there is about a 50 percent chance another COVID-like magnitude of a pandemic (>25 million global deaths) will hit us in the next 20 to 25 years.
    Dr. Seth Berkley, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The 10 counts of assault with intent to murder Ricklefs is charged with are up to a lifelong felony sentence, according to the news release.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Raven is part of an artistic generation intent on reading the landscape as a text, rather than as a muted slate.
    Anne Reeve, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Consider the long-term consequences.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The school and university employees who have filed suits are some of the dozens of workers across a slew of fields fired or suspended from their jobs or subject to other consequences for their controversial comments, according to a USA TODAY count of news reports and statements.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Significance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significance. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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