1
as in essences
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
Relevance
2
as in entities
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
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 substances
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed turbine blades constructed from recycled plant substances using sugars extracted from wood, plant residues, used cooking oil, and agricultural waste.
—
Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Others who've tested mushroom edible products have also documented a variety of undisclosed substances, as NPR reported earlier this year.
—Will Stone, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
However, there was also a mixture of other substances, including a synthetic version of psilocybin, the prescription anticonvulsant drug pregabalin and the supplement kava.
—Will Stone, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
The declines were prevalent across alcohol, marijuana and nicotine vaping, which are the three more common substances used by adolescents.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
The study found that there were declines across substances.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Additionally, their specialized Nuclear Emergency Support Team uses aircraft rather than drones to detect nuclear or radiological substances.
—Emma Li, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
As of late, however, she's rehabilitated her image by focusing on her mental health, no longer self-medicating with various substances and ridding drama from her life.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Nitrosamines can form unintentionally during manufacturing, storage, or interaction with other substances.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Others who've tested mushroom edible products have also documented a variety of undisclosed substances, as NPR reported earlier this year.
—Will Stone, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
However, there was also a mixture of other substances, including a synthetic version of psilocybin, the prescription anticonvulsant drug pregabalin and the supplement kava.
—Will Stone, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
The declines were prevalent across alcohol, marijuana and nicotine vaping, which are the three more common substances used by adolescents.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
The study found that there were declines across substances.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Additionally, their specialized Nuclear Emergency Support Team uses aircraft rather than drones to detect nuclear or radiological substances.
—Emma Li, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
As of late, however, she's rehabilitated her image by focusing on her mental health, no longer self-medicating with various substances and ridding drama from her life.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Nitrosamines can form unintentionally during manufacturing, storage, or interaction with other substances.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substances
Noun
-
Musk's push has essentially eliminated both entities.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 Mar. 2025
-
As Senate Bill 1 stands, homeowners will receive $24 relief a month while local entities will lose a significant amount of funding, Andrade said.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As a business owner, higher profit margins, all other things being equal, are more valuable.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
Expected to take a backseat to Detroit and Green Bay in a transition year, Minnesota is in the thick of things with a 13-2 record.—
Theo Gremminger,
The Athletic,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Of course, many companies will stay the course and continue DEI, ESG, HR and CSR efforts that represent decades-long commitments, but others will find new approaches and new language to deal with different political realities and government leaders.—
Timothy J. McClimon,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Effective leaders combine current realities with future trends and opportunities, using curiosity and experimentation to drive discovery and innovation.—
William Arruda,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substances. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share