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
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Recent Examples of substantial
The resulting series, which doubles as Cage’s most substantial television work to date, is a disappointment.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Today’s significant fundraising should now help the company to capitalize on its early success, with a substantial round that will support further commercialization.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Maintenance savings can also be substantial — electric vehicles need new tires and not much else.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 May 2026
Growing demand Coinciding with the long-term drought, the region has seen substantial industrial growth, spurred by the expansion of the Port of Corpus Christi.
—Michelle Hummel, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Today’s significant fundraising should now help the company to capitalize on its early success, with a substantial round that will support further commercialization.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Maintenance savings can also be substantial — electric vehicles need new tires and not much else.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 May 2026
Growing demand Coinciding with the long-term drought, the region has seen substantial industrial growth, spurred by the expansion of the Port of Corpus Christi.
—Michelle Hummel, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial
Adjective
-
Like many other young jazz artists of the period, however, he was deeply affected, not only by the playing, but by the lifestyles of the older beboppers who were his significant influences, many of whom had become addicted to drugs.—
Don Heckman,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
-
Financing for the homes, however, is still a significant hurdle.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Biomimicry often fails when the design is too large, Hassanalian says, but is most efficient on the microscale.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
-
Raising the competition in chatbot technology, this is largest overhaul of Google search in almost three decades.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
The initiative will bring together agents from across the country in what the bureau describes as a structured team-building exercise aimed at reinforcing physical readiness and cohesion across field offices.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
By depicting the most awkward and unpleasant aspects of puberty — from raging hormones to physical transformations and much, much more — the series helps dispel the embarrassment and shame associated with adolescence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, the inclusion of six players who are capable of playing center back probably confirms what USMNT observers have believed for the better part of a year, that Pochettino is likely to field a back three/back five formation for a considerable chunk of the tournament.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
On the positive side, especially if this woman plans to have children, Miss Manners observes that losing the friendship will no doubt save you considerable time and money in the future.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Jaguars will play at Camping World Stadium in Orlando in 2027 while their home field, EverBank Stadium, undergoes major renovations.—
Scott Turick,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
James Ward During the debate, Republican Steve Hilton vowed to restart offshore oil drilling in California — a proposal that conflicts with decades of state policy shaped by major oil spills and strict coastal protections.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
An unsettled gubernatorial contest In the gubernatorial race, none of the many Democratic candidates has been able to consolidate a sizable lead, creating a lingering apprehension that Republicans could somehow eke out a stunning upset in the biggest of blue states.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
The food ranges from snacky to sizable, and the quality of dishes varies widely.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ephemera directs the brain to the tiniest concrete nubs of consciousness, calming the quaking mind and bringing us back to ourselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The upshot is the stakes are rising, the strait is neither open nor closed, and there are no concrete signs of progress.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The promises made and attacks scattered like buckshot on the San Francisco soundstage all seem much less important than the numbers that show up in opinion polls between now and Election Day.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
This is especially important for low-income communities and others who rely heavily on the shot for contraception.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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