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
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 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
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
-
The storms have brought significant thunder and lightning but generally have been accompanied by light rainfall, a tenth of an inch or less.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
-
Republicans in Congress are inching closer to passing a significant piece of legislation that could affect everything from taxes to immigration to Medicaid.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The quarterly rebalanced mix of large, mid, and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks provided a flexible approach to capitalize on favorable market conditions while mitigating losses when markets decline, as elaborated in RV Portfolio performance metrics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
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
-
The Time to Act on Antisemitism is Now This final example demonstrated how Washington’s Jewish community made use of their physical location to enact international change.—
Time,
Time,
3 June 2025
-
When calories are too restricted or not enough nutrients are being provided by a diet, there could be an interruption in physical processes that could lead to fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating, Keeler added.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
3 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
-
Alcaraz has now beaten Sinner – who had won 20 straight major matches – five straight times.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
The arrival of humans was arguably another major and rapid evolutionary transition.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
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
-
In June, a four-lane concrete bridge that was being built across the River Ganges in the eastern state of Bihar collapsed for the second time in just over a year, raising questions about the quality of its construction.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
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 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share