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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substance
The tank contains methyl methacrylate (MMA), a flammable substance that generates heat spontaneously.
—
Julie Sharp, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Focusing on creating stable mixtures with water-soluble substances such as sugar and oil-soluble ones such omega-3 fatty acids, the team developed a capillary-force system for emulsifying small amounts of water and oil.
—New Atlas, 3 June 2026
The wasps build their nests by breaking down plant and wood fibers to form a papery substance.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
The ingestion of substances was just astronomical.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Julie Sharp, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Focusing on creating stable mixtures with water-soluble substances such as sugar and oil-soluble ones such omega-3 fatty acids, the team developed a capillary-force system for emulsifying small amounts of water and oil.
—New Atlas, 3 June 2026
The wasps build their nests by breaking down plant and wood fibers to form a papery substance.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
The ingestion of substances was just astronomical.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
-
Investigators said the device had the potential to damage an aircraft and cause a loss of cabin pressure.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Steve Hilton has painted California as a state bursting with potential that has lost its way under Democratic leadership in his bid to be the state's first Republican governor in more than 15 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
If Chartreuse is tasting the essence of the forest from Gaia’s own breast, then Fernet is more like shaking hands with the devil.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
-
The last album began in essence as an experiment, to see if Dogstar had another chapter in them.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
In an era shaped by social media, widening inequality, and constant exposure to other people’s relationships, wealth, and success, jealousy has become one of the defining but least honestly discussed emotions of adulthood.—
Meehika Barua,
Time,
29 May 2026
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By employing his knowledge of advanced technology to achieve his goal of crafting a spaceship to transport life-giving water back to his dry planet, Newton creates enormous wealth for his insane aqua-ark idea.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Look away from the lunar face or find an object to shield it from view.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
5 June 2026
-
Suddenly, orderlies are telling her to forfeit her sharp objects.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Ionic liquids are essentially salts that stay in liquid form even in the vacuum of space, which very few materials can do.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
-
The movie is a straightforward and durable adaptation — Jolie’s electric performance won her an Oscar — but bringing the material to the stage has allowed a more fungible approach to the material, to both capture what happened to Kaysen and express what was flowing through her mind.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
At Miraval Berkshires, guests are immersed in an intimate, nature-rich setting that invites connection, whether that means getting to know others, engaging with our expert specialists, exploring team challenges, or participating in ceremonies grounded in traditional wisdom.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
For SpaceX, the uninhibited nature of CEO Elon Musk, especially in his posts on X, presents risks amid the formality of the IPO process, said University of Notre Dame finance professor Timothy Loughran.—
Greg Bensinger,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Aviation experts said a revival would come with substantial challenges, as Spirit left behind billions in debt and its assets are being liquidated.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
-
Richard Kaye, portfolio manager at Comgest, said SoftBank's assets still comfortably cover its debt obligations and that the company's loan-to-value ratio remains below 25%.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
While Liden’s displacement and depersonalization of private property in Unheimlich Manöver could be perceived as the inversion of Darboven’s cocooning, the artists share a preoccupation with the silent speech of objects and with language as a spatial entity.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Like OpenAI, Anthropic pairs a controlling mission entity (the Long-Term Benefit Trust) with a public benefit corporation.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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