Synonyms of substance

substance

noun

ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

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

• potential
• material
• potentiality
• making
• timber
• raw material
• stuff
• possibility
• metal
• matter

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

• essence
• nature
• soul
• manifestation
• being
• stuff
• essentiality
• aspect
• quiddity
• quintessence
• heart
• core
• name of the game
• property
• spirit
• attribute
• center
• pith
• marrow
• feature
• incarnation
• personification
• kernel
• seat
• gist
• keynote
• embodiment
• epitome
• alpha and omega
• nub

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

• wealth
• assets
• money
• capital
• things
• worth
• funds
• means
• riches
• effects
• fortune
• opulence
• possessions
• success
• holdings
• prosperity
• wherewithal
• property
• resources
• savings
• paraphernalia
• finances
• belongings
• abundance
• chattels
• wallet
• personalty
• affluence
• personal property
• acquisition
• treasure
• deep pockets
• treasury
• bankroll
• accession
• valuables
• nest egg
• reserve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liabilities
• debts
• indebtedness

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

• object
• entity
• reality
• thing
• something
• individual
• being
• commodity
• body
• matter
• subject
• individuality
• existent
• material
• integer
• quantity
• stuff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonentity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of substance

Office space is available in the thrift store for nonprofit groups to use as well as rooms for counseling services for behavior health, substance abuse, anxiety and other concerns of the community, Applegate said. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

These schedules are meant to address PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which the military has used for decades in firefighting foams. — Austin Fast, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

At the same time, there’s no one-size-fits all for chemical hazard risks, and each substance must be evaluated in terms of application, exposure, life cycle and other factors that can impact hazard levels. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Compared with all the other substances studied, fentanyl ingestion was more than seven times as likely to result in a major effect and more than three times as likely to result in critical care admission. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing substance

• sum and substance