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
The results suggest a broad surge in support for loosening restrictions on research into substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to probe their potential for medical use.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
In a request to the judge for a sentence reduction, Keomisy offered to voluntarily participate in a substance abuse and mental health program.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026
As with all screenlife movies, though, LifeHack eventually wears thin with its preponderance of very specific style over substance.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
McElroy was arrested after she was accused of endangering her unborn child through substance use, a felony.
—Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
In a request to the judge for a sentence reduction, Keomisy offered to voluntarily participate in a substance abuse and mental health program.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026
As with all screenlife movies, though, LifeHack eventually wears thin with its preponderance of very specific style over substance.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
McElroy was arrested after she was accused of endangering her unborn child through substance use, a felony.
—Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
-
In fact, white clover flourishes best in full sun, says Watkins who sees the potential for clover to flourish in USDA Zones 6-9 and beyond year-round.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
The results suggest a broad surge in support for loosening restrictions on research into substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to probe their potential for medical use.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The aye-aye, in essence, became a woodpecker by primate standards.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
The Mario series was maturing alongside the greater video-game landscape, but its childlike essence remained—not through docile cuteness, but through a more grandiose fusion of wonder, whimsy, and wistfulness.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Consumers’ coffers have been buffered by larger tax refunds, wage gains (although slowing), and wealth boosts (particularly for upper-income consumers).—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Markets shift and headlines fade, but the core principles of building long-term wealth remain constant.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Three-dimensional ads that look like physical objects in the road?—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
14 May 2026
-
Many of the looks on display come from a collection of around 1,500 fashion objects and historical costumes from two Swiss collectors, Martin Kamer and Wolfgang Ruf, that the KGM acquired in 2003; Kamer was a costume designer and Ruf ran a gallery trading historical textiles.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Israel prohibits many construction materials from entering Gaza, so the structure was created by welding sheets of metal together and painting them white.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
The search-warrant affidavit that allowed the FBI to seize election materials in Georgia in January—an extraordinary intervention by federal law enforcement—cited an analysis by Parikh.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Exposure to nature is so good for your mental health.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
What’s more, the low-fat nature of the cut is typically doubled down on via the cooking technique.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
Noun
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One of the assets in the Manson trade — 2023 second-round pick Carey Terrance — brought back Kreider, a winger with 348 career goals.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The company was formed in 2021 through the combination of Univision Holdings and the media, content, and production assets of Grupo Televisa, bringing together one of the largest libraries of Spanish-language programming with extensive distribution throughout North and Latin America.—
byNick Tabor,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The majority of those admitted last year joined in January before the administration handover, Skelly said, adding that no new entities at all have been added since August.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
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Cox is also being cited by a much smaller entity known as Yout, which operates a website that can be used to convert YouTube videos into downloadable audio files.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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