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
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Recent Examples of substance
Although the synthetic substance is not fully biodegradable and doesn't simply disappear in its entirety, a large percentage of the PVA makeup is biodegradable.
—
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Strawberry, who was suspended three times during his MLB career for substance abuse, later served 11 months in a Florida prison in an unrelated state case for drug possession and solicitation of prostitution.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
During a bitter child custody battle, Pacheco accused him of substance abuse and threatening to kill her.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
As the Herald reported, William McNeill of Dorchester pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Plymouth court to manslaughter and unlawful distribution of a class A substance, fentanyl, in 2019.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Strawberry, who was suspended three times during his MLB career for substance abuse, later served 11 months in a Florida prison in an unrelated state case for drug possession and solicitation of prostitution.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
During a bitter child custody battle, Pacheco accused him of substance abuse and threatening to kill her.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
As the Herald reported, William McNeill of Dorchester pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Plymouth court to manslaughter and unlawful distribution of a class A substance, fentanyl, in 2019.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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WeRide is a member of this year’s Future 50, Fortune’s annual ranking of companies with the greatest potential for growth.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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The data shows eloralintide offers the potential for strong efficacy with improved tolerability and could serve as an alternative to incretin therapies, said Kenneth Custer, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In this poetry collection, Vilariño strips poetry to its essence—distilling love, loss, and the inexorable passage of time into spare yet searing verses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Stripped to their symbolic essence, the erotics of Frankenstein are about the body as meat, electrified by carnal pleasure and unencumbered by the soul.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Most of his wealth is in original Class A shares, which currently trade around $750,000 each.—
,
CNBC,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The return of an upbeat outlook on the stock market is good news, of course, for the investors who derive their wealth from the markets.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Each specimen’s unique characteristics reminded him of the patterns and patinas that distinguish the objects at the family’s haveli, or nobleman’s mansion, in the Pink City.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.—
Terry Mattingly,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Crown and dignity Catalina Ruiz Navarro, a Colombian feminist activist and journalist based in Mexico City, argued that the nature of beauty pageants like Miss Universe places women in a patriarchal position.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Plus, the very nature of recording your live stream of thoughts means a lot of editing later down the line.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In DeCosta’s world, draft assets, like self-esteem, are essential to maintain.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
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That might mean liquidating nearly all assets or eating seeds needed for future planting.—
Nurith Aizenman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Moreover, promotional entity Proimágenes reports that audiovisual production has strongly boosted Colombia’s economy, generating over 570,000 hotel nights and 30,000 airline tickets, benefiting tourism and services nationwide.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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For example, forum participants said a person could sue a company or entity that pollutes a river because the river has the right to be pollution-free.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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