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

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

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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
  • Some in anthropology take this further, describing houses and homes as social and symbolic spaces rather than merely physical structures.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • This was a different era, when most teams at that level would have played direct, physical football.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 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
  • Yaks breed notoriously slowly, with females birthing just four or five offspring in their lifetime – a major challenge for their long-term survival.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The district, established in 1992, well after the Voting Rights Act, to help ensure Black voting power, is in the process of a major transition of leadership as Congresswoman Frederica Wilson winds down her final term.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Impact craters are formed by sizable objects such as meteorites crashing into the Earth’s surface.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • The France Under-20 international’s ceiling is extremely high, though, which is why Newcastle have invested another sizeable sum in someone who has only just celebrated his 20th birthday.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • The building appears to be still in the framing stage with workers making adjustments to the concrete pylons as cars zip past.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • Wednesday's press conference provided little new concrete information about the case but appeared to be part of an effort to spur faster action from law enforcement.
    — Elise Gregg, NPR, 22 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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