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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of substance
Sankofa House provides long-term housing, peer-support services and multiple chances for people seeking recovery from substance use disorder.
—
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
So far, more than four thousand employees have been laid off, disrupting government services devoted to, among other things, cybersecurity efforts, special-education programs, substance-abuse treatment, and loans for small businesses.
—Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
After the Hunt isn’t especially incendiary in its substance.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Coe, who is bipolar, worked through substance abuse issues and a suicide attempt.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
So far, more than four thousand employees have been laid off, disrupting government services devoted to, among other things, cybersecurity efforts, special-education programs, substance-abuse treatment, and loans for small businesses.
—Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
After the Hunt isn’t especially incendiary in its substance.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Coe, who is bipolar, worked through substance abuse issues and a suicide attempt.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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Joining a Blue Jays rotation that appeared more built for the regular season slog, Bieber held playoff potential.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The researchers compared both configurations to test the vitamin’s catalytic performance and long-term potential.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But perhaps its essence is best told by its most famous resident.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
-
This is the essence of the palpable belief in the vampire.—
Robert Eggers,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During an appearance on Simon Sinek’s podcast, A Bit of Optimism, Galloway shared his philosophy on money and happiness, arguing accumulating wealth beyond a certain threshold brings no additional fulfillment.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
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People had been living in the houses before they were moved, people who had to be relocated and then lost the generational wealth that was in the properties.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Texas native rose to fame as foreign exchange student Nadia in American Pie (1999), the object of Jason Biggs’ affection.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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In the future, every object could carry its own unforgeable signature, adding a layer of trust that is literally built into its molecular structure.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Made of a single flat material, the new class of robots can snap into hundreds of stable shapes.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Oct. 2025
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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.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The goal of that process, according to the state, would be to work with the community in exploring the nature of their cancer concern, provide education, and, if appropriate, provide epidemiological information.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
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Dæmons seem to be an outward manifestation of the complex nature of humans that encompasses, male, female and animalistic characteristics that hint towards the breaking of gender binaries and the possibilities of interspecies relations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And although fallout from major geopolitical announcements is par for the course in the digital assets market, traders suffered more in this instance due to the unwinding of many leveraged positions.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Meanwhile, the European Commission slow-walks the release of €140 billion in frozen Russian assets that could improve Ukrainian war prospects.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some state leaders say the lot isn’t sufficient without state and federal entities doing their part.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
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According to Nationwide, a trust fund is a legal arrangement that allows individuals to place assets in a special account to benefit another person or entity.—
Mariah Maddox,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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