SUBSTANTIAL Synonyms: 260 Similar and Opposite Words

substantial

adjective

səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl

Definition of substantial

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

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

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

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 The 2027 Silverado gets a broader, more muscular face, a new grille and redesigned LED lighting, while the bodywork has been massaged to make the truck look even more substantial. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026 Organizations routinely approve substantial investments in security technology, but those tools do not create outcomes alone. — David Etue, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Yet Democrat politicians seem to disregard this substantial portion of their base. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Two more, Texas and Iowa, also do substantial trade with Canada. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substantial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial

Adjective

Repeating that process places significant stress on components, increasing operational and capital costs due to the risk of failure, maintenance requirements and downtime.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
On a longer flight, having some additional neck support can make a significant difference.

— Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of significant

Adjective

Ownership wants a salary cap to give clubs long-term certainty over their largest cost.

— Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Growth in the world’s second-largest economy softened to its slowest in more than three years in the second quarter, as a multiyear property downturn continued to depress consumer demand and investment in real estate and infrastructure.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of large

Adjective

Sometimes there isn’t enough time, mental, emotional, or physical capacity to take on another commitment, and that’s okay, too.

— Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Rather than simply detecting physical obstacles, the system distinguishes between different types of messes and household objects to optimize cleaning strategies.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of physical

Adjective

Fall’s brisk weather brings with it the promise of cozy knitwear, cashmere socks, and roaring fires—perhaps the only downside is that the grey skies exacerbate the our considerable vitamin D deficiency.

— Violet Hayward, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
SpaceX has considerable experience in this regard, having flown 20 astronaut missions aboard its Crew Dragon capsule to date.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of considerable

Adjective

The two leaders have made a show of working to preserve harmony, but there were no major breakthroughs this week on issues such as trade or the safety of artificial intelligence.

— MICHELLE L. PRICE, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
That distinction removes a major uncertainty surrounding the material.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of major

Adjective

The spa Like the rest of the hotel, the spa has an urban futuristic feel with concrete, hardwood, and fluorescent lighting.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
The room is dimly lighted but for yellow and red string lights that produce radiant, shimmying splotches on the concrete floor.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of concrete

Adjective

The important distinction is whether the gasket is merely seeping or actually leaking.

— John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
The summit produced no major breakthroughs, but some experts say the steps toward greater cooperation were still considered important, allowing the two powers to set up working groups that could prevent problems from escalating.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of important

Browse Nearby Words

substandard

substantial

substantiality

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“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of substantial

adjective

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