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
as in largeness
the quality or state of being large in size
their donation may not be impressive in its substantiality, but it did come from the heart, and that is what is really important
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
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Not every center with substantial research output was free from internal strife, however.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
With the transfer window looming, Barca president Joan Laporta suggested in May that more substantial change to the goalkeeping line-up would come this summer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 6 June 2025
This indicates substantial price swings during these periods.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Adjective
The bill could undergo substantial changes as the legislative process continues.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Not every center with substantial research output was free from internal strife, however.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
With the transfer window looming, Barca president Joan Laporta suggested in May that more substantial change to the goalkeeping line-up would come this summer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 6 June 2025
This indicates substantial price swings during these periods.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial
Adjective
-
Values, Legacy, and Portfolio Alignment A significant shift across recent reports highlights how families are increasingly aligning their investments with their core values.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers have documented large decreases in seed dispersal in forests where Asian needle ants are present.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
10 June 2025
-
Monday night's attacks came 24 hours after Russian forces targeted regions throughout Ukraine with more than 470 attack drones -- one of the largest aerial strikes of the war, according to Ukraine's air force.—
Jason Volack,
ABC News,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Translating a physical place into perfume is no small feat.—
Austa Somvichian-Clausen,
Robb Report,
15 June 2025
-
Utilizing a commercial high-fidelity inkjet printer, that digital map was converted into a physical two-layer mask printed onto an ultra-thin clear polymer film.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Now, terming him a sweetener might be overstatement, after a considerable sophomore slump.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2025
-
In May, the board of supervisors unanimously backed recommendations from county staff to move the excess money around, with a considerable amount going to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
The arrival of humans was arguably another major and rapid evolutionary transition.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
-
This happened when the former Crystal Ice plant burned down some years ago in the midst of another major redevelopment project, on the R Street Corridor.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Here’s a thought: Several big-time football schools have abandoned open spring football games, which used to be a sizable event attracting fans and alums to campus, to protect players from being scouted and poached in the transfer portal.—
Russell Dinkins,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2025
-
But there’s a sizable contingent of old media players including David Zaslav, fresh from announcing plans to split Warner Bros. Discovery in two, as well as Comcast’s Brian Roberts, who is already enmeshed in spinning off his own underperforming cable properties at NBCUniversal.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Jennette’s Pier Nags Head, North Carolina This 1,000-foot-long concrete pier juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and is a prime spot for an Outer Banks fishing experience.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
The concrete wall was built as part of the $95 million Elvira to Morena double-track completed in 2020, according to the San Diego Association of Governments, the region’s planning agency.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is one of the most important services of their lives.—
Buddha Lo,
People.com,
13 June 2025
-
But what’s even more important is how the couple got together in the first place.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share