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
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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
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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
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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
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Examples of substance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Without significant investment in additional mental health, substance abuse, and economic resources, our current interventions may not offer sufficient tools to ensure health and safety if someone cannot maintain themselves day to day in the community without causing harm.
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The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024
There are many factors that can contribute to a change in libido, from stress to hormones to aging to substance or prescribed medication use.
—Tara Michaela Jones, Them, 10 Oct. 2024
An array of radioactive substances had been released during the disaster, including plutonium and uranium, but scientists were also on the lookout for harmful levels of radioactive cesium and iodine isotopes, which turned out to be the abundant and far-reaching contaminants of agricultural land.
—Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024
But behind the scenes, Martin was dealing with substance abuse, and a toxic relationship with her husband, who attacked her in their Florida home in 2010 and left her for dead on the bedroom floor.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for substance 
The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024
There are many factors that can contribute to a change in libido, from stress to hormones to aging to substance or prescribed medication use.
—Tara Michaela Jones, Them, 10 Oct. 2024
An array of radioactive substances had been released during the disaster, including plutonium and uranium, but scientists were also on the lookout for harmful levels of radioactive cesium and iodine isotopes, which turned out to be the abundant and far-reaching contaminants of agricultural land.
—Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024
But behind the scenes, Martin was dealing with substance abuse, and a toxic relationship with her husband, who attacked her in their Florida home in 2010 and left her for dead on the bedroom floor.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for substance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'substance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
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