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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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

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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

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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

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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 substantial Some studies examine account ownership, others measure actual usage, and still others focus on either individual platforms or multiple platforms combined, leading to substantial variation in the results of different studies. — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026 Across Chicago, historic buildings have been successfully incorporated into larger redevelopment projects while adding substantial new housing. — Todd Baisch, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 Procreate’s sole tablet-only competitor is the substantial Adobe Fresco, which is now free. — Shelby Putnam Tupper, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026 Trading commodities, futures, and options involves a substantial risk of loss. — Usa Today, USA Today, 14 July 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
  • Burnham’s faith is significant given the centuries of legislation and convention that effectively prevented Catholics from becoming prime minister.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • While Kyiv has made significant progress since 2022 in defending itself against Russian missile and drone attacks, the country remains extremely vulnerable to ballistic missile strikes.
    — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • The answer is likely to come this week as the panel considers the world’s largest blackwater wetland, located in Georgia’s southeastern corner, as a World Heritage Site.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Brent climbed nearly 16% last week, its largest weekly rise since April, and European benchmark natural gas prices saw their highest close since March, according to Deutsche Bank.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • One way to begin is with the mental and physical reset provided by the Crossings Ceremony, the most recent addition to Miraval Austin’s Life in Balance Spa offerings.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
  • Only people whose physical condition prevents them from doing so would be allowed to receive assistance from a doctor or a nurse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • Her new position at the scene’s forefront came with considerable expectations, and her occasionally dazzling debut, Silence Is Loud, felt the weight of those demands.
    — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
  • Skattebo’s recovery has therefore commanded considerable attention.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • June and July are typically the quietest months of the season, but this shear has been a major roadblock and could have implications for the peak months, too.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • While the Midland proposal ultimately failed, another major point of contention — Sunday voting — was also resolved through compromise.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The program allows people who make sizable investments in a country to apply for citizenship.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • On the one hand, sales from China still make up a sizable chunk of its revenue.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • The only concrete evidence of fraud was buried in a separate document HHS issued last month, explains Sabrina Corlette, co-director of Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms.
    — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • The villa, with its rough concrete structure and minimalist elements, boasts postcard views of the French city’s namesake bay—not quite São Paolo, but certainly a good jumping-off point.
    — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026
Definition of concrete
Adjective
  • Saturday’s humid match was extremely important to England and France fans in attendance.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
  • That love began with an important technological introduction.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of substantial for Spanish Speakers

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