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 India’s major container gateways are moving substantial volumes as more merchandise floods out of the country. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 There is a quiet yearning to know himself—to find for himself a more substantial backstory and sense of belonging—in what Shimoda pieces together. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Selling a business, real estate or another appreciated asset can produce a substantial capital gains tax liability. — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 And its economy, while substantial, isn’t as diversified as that of some larger countries. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 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
  • In addition, surprise guests — look out for a festival favorite that won a significant award at Cannes — are likely to be in the mix.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • That sense of community is also central to producer Chris Ferguson, whose Oddfellows banner has become a significant force in Vancouver’s independent film scene.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • Hence, a turbine operating hundreds of meters above the ground has access to a larger and potentially more reliable energy resource than a conventional turbine.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the proliferation of large new data centers is rivaling inflation and the Iran war as midterm political issues--and, like them, is hurting the Republicans.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • Read Full Review Designed to tie in the five elements and the five senses, this Greek idyll is built into a mountain and has a large spherical pool as its physical and spiritual center.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There is humiliation here, claustrophobia, physical vulnerability and an intimacy that occasionally brushes against the erotic.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • That in turn fueled calls for federal intervention, which has been a subject of considerable debate for years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • That leaves a considerable number of non-MAGA Republican voters.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • The Category 3 storm has grown into a major hurricane, the first of an unusually quiet Atlantic season, and is expected to make landfall Friday night.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Most major mergers are consummated after executives have dedicated months to quietly drafting detailed operational plans and organizational hierarchies.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • At today's card rates, even a relatively modest balance can generate significant interest charges and require sizable payments each month.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The drive and long front garden create a sizable safe space between the mansion and the road below.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • Since fashion businesses are aiming to streamline their operations, reduce excess inventory and improve forecasting, both leaders stress that the adoption of new technologies must lead to concrete commercial outcomes.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In a city better known for restrained modernism, La Tulipe is a playful bouquet of concrete and colored glass.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of concrete
Adjective
  • While a push east for Marib would get the Houthis the most resources, a southern push appears to be more strategically important for the time being.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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