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

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2
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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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of substance Residents with experiences living with mental illness and substance abuse will sit on a new commission, advising the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on how to improve behavioral health policy, programs and procedures in the region. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025 Later, to try to regain custody of his kids, the patient sought out intensive rehabilitation for substance use, prosecutors said. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025 Last year, before his arrest, a video of Jordan allegedly sniffing an unidentified white substance went viral, resulting in social media criticism. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 May 2025 For certain foods or substances that cause allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions, there are more specific labeling requirements. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
  • Rising in North Bay Village, Shoma Bay has the potential to enhance the neighborhood as one of Miami’s prominent waterfront destinations.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Gene therapy has always held enormous promise to correct genetic diseases, but turning that potential into treatments has been challenging.
    Alice Park, Time, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Palpatine returns Though his body may have been destroyed during the Battle of Endor, Palpatine survived in secret for years by transferring his essence to clone bodies.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Penny Hotel Williamsburg The intimate Penny Hotel, nestled in Williamsburg's core, perfectly captures the neighborhood's artistic essence.
    Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump welcomes white South Africans as other refugees are halted Although apartheid rule ended long ago, the typical Black South African household has just 5% of the wealth of the typical White household, according to a 2024 study by researchers at The Africa Institute and the University of Zambia.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Before writing about politics, Alexander covered sports, manufacturing and wealth.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • And also, the sort of exploitation that bot constructs are subjected to in this world that Martha has created meant that someone was probably going to treat it like an object at some point.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
  • This reflected the museum’s emphasis, which dovetails with that of the donors, on the object, not the celebrity provenance.
    Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The extraordinary source material is a profound inspiration to build a unique world that vibrates with life and death at the same time.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 May 2025
  • Intended for both slim and puffy outerwear, the new material prevents the conglomeration of fibers and pushes the sustainability envelope further as it is entirely crafted from recycled fibers derived from post-consumer PET bottles.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • If your ideal unplugged getaway involves both spa time and being surrounded by nature, there's a perfect spot in southwest Virginia.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 May 2025
  • Each word must be in the right place and of the right nature.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • In the complaint, Aaron asks that neither party be awarded alimony and that both parties' community assets and debts are in accordance with Nevada law.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The dots represented arts organizations, creative businesses, studios, galleries, performance venues, and cultural and historic assets.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The people holding top leadership positions at the charter and the third-party entity are also often the same people or are related, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • That would give the president free reign to create entities to get around transparency laws, CREW told the Supreme Court.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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