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 substance contains limonene, which is a natural solvent in citrus oils.
—
Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
Details about the substance the attacker used remains unknown.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, was seen on video lunging at Omar while spraying an unknown substance on her shirt.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
No one in the crowd of about 100 people had a noticeable physical reaction to the substance.
—Laura Bargfeld, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
Details about the substance the attacker used remains unknown.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, was seen on video lunging at Omar while spraying an unknown substance on her shirt.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
No one in the crowd of about 100 people had a noticeable physical reaction to the substance.
—Laura Bargfeld, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
-
But high-resolution Surveying—gathering exhaustive and detailed information about a very narrow topic—is the key to unlocking the learning potential of imitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Senior executives speak openly about the potential for better customer experience, better products, and fundamentally new business models enabled by AI.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Joe’s Stone Crab is as definable of the Miami Beach essence as the city’s distinctive Art Deco along Ocean Drive, its beaches and the Fontainebleau hotel.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
-
That being said, when time is of the essence, Winair remains the quickest option—because who wants to waste a single minute of island time?—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The three editors on the film — Jinx Godfrey, Dan Setford, and Daniel Lapira — work from a wealth of home-movie material, concert footage, and archival interviews to tell Love’s story in intimate terms.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Many Democratic leaders say the revenue shows that predictions of mass wealth flight in the face of higher taxes are misleading.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The method allows the creation of 3D objects with varying mechanical and optical properties — such as hardness and transparency — at the pixel level using a single, inexpensive material.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
PrimeSense, Maizels' prior startup, developed technology that allowed sensors to detect the distance between objects, and was integrated into Apple's Face ID sensor starting in 2017.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This season, younger designers leant into heavy knitwear pieces, embracing ancient crafts by collaborating with local artisans to create sustainable wools, alongside innovating with materials and form.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The researchers say material shape plays a major role in performance.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Although physicists will no doubt argue over the best approach, the one the field has taken continues to teach us more and more about the nature of reality and the contents of our Universe.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This scenery—bodegas, funeral parlors, pizza shops—was the only kind of nature Twin knew and loved.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Revolutionary Guard holds vast business interest across Iran, and sanctions could allow its assets in Europe to be seized.—
SAM McNEIL AND JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Such a poor win to loss ratio would typically lead to thinking that a team should sell off superfluous parts in trades and search for younger players or draft assets in return.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Starship is capital-intensive and when packaged with an already cash-generating business like Starlink, the risk can be absorbed within a single public entity.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Wexner and his charitable entities have given more than $200 million to Ohio State, his alma mater, which has, in turn, honored him through the naming of its football facility, medical center and the Wexner Center for Arts.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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