substantial

adjective

səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
Definition of substantialnext
1
as in significant
having great meaning or lasting effect substantial changes to the school dress code that made a lot of people unhappy

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2
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind the amount he inherited was quite substantial, so he quit his job and set out to see the world

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3
as in physical
relating to or composed of matter the Land of Oz turned out to be a world of dreams, even less substantial than a rainbow

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4
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention there's been a substantial increase in attendance at girls' volleyball games ever since the start of their winning streak

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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 substantial An ill-fitting board role, despite its potential, may not be worthwhile given the substantial investment required. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The material is handsome, virtually indestructible, and capable of supporting the home’s most substantial resident. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 As part of the settlement, the company agreed to make substantial changes to its products in addition to paying billions of dollars in penalties. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026 Its double-layer structure gives the sweater a more substantial feel, while the ribbed cuffs, neckline, and hem add elevated details to the relaxed shape. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial
  1. significant
  2. large
  3. physical
  4. considerable
  5. major
  6. sizable
  7. concrete
  8. important
Adjective
  • Claiming the 29-year-old Robert would require a more significant financial commitment than Sewald.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The advanced weapon features AV’s 20kW-class LOCUST LWS integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform–a significant advancement in mobile, frontline C-UAS capabilities.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • To study dark energy, Roman will measure how gravity bends light across large cosmic distances — creating a 3D map of dark matter in the process.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In 2022, Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a website created to sell generic medication at a lower price than most large pharmacies.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • Long-term concessions give foreign companies considerable influence over critical infrastructure.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • With the excitement will come considerable outside expectations he’s never experienced — some of Sumrall’s own making.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • Applying high-temperature treatment to large magnet components, however, would present major engineering challenges.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The Italian supermodel attended this major film event wearing a dress from the Chanel Cruise 2026–2027 collection.
    — Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Only 13% of current billionaires are women—but as men over the age of 60 dominate the ultra-rich cohort, more than 1,235 female spouses (representing 90% of billionaire partners) will inherit a sizable chunk in the next decade.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Despite Republican campaign arms vastly out-raising their Democratic counterparts, individual Democratic candidates in battleground Senate races have a sizable cash advantage over their Republican competitors.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • The statement stopped short of committing members to any concrete military or economic support.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Its non-towable structure means that it is transported to the site by truck and can then be installed on permanent concrete foundations or screw piles.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of concrete
Adjective
  • That has changed quietly, with robots now performing important roles in operating rooms, hospital wards, rehabilitation centers, and corridors around the world.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Reseeding is particularly important in high-traffic areas or patches of the lawn where grubs, heat, or disease have left the turf thin.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of important

Browse Nearby Words

substandard
substantial
substantiality
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Cite this Entry

“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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