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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 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
  • The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Businesses considering major investments pay close attention to regulatory risk.
    — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Eleven million sales in America, countless radio spins and nearly a billion Spotify streams, and the copyright is Parton’s alone, bringing in millions of dollars on its own as a sizable piece of the icon’s expansive business empire.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The interest charges alone can consume a sizable share of the monthly credit card payments, especially now that card rates are averaging over 22%.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All