as in substantial
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention
they've made substantive changes in the nightly newscast
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nominal
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantive
Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2022
Only seventeen members of Harmony, the party that represents the Russian minority and commands a substantive if declining amount of support, and two nonaffiliated members were opposed.
—Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022
Calmatters, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
As America mourns the loss of Charlie Kirk, a substantive void must be addressed.
—Alex Rosado, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Adjective
California’s climate agenda mixes the symbolic with the substantive.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2022
Only seventeen members of Harmony, the party that represents the Russian minority and commands a substantive if declining amount of support, and two nonaffiliated members were opposed.
—Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022
Noun
Earlier this summer, Newsom proposed reupping the program without any substantive changes, much to the chagrin of environmental advocates.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
As America mourns the loss of Charlie Kirk, a substantive void must be addressed.
—Alex Rosado, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantive
Adjective
-
But substantial uncertainties remain about when Israeli military forces would withdraw from most of the Gaza Strip, exactly how a transitional body would govern and police the enclave, and now, most critically, whether Hamas will acquiesce to the terms of the plan.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
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With an extended range of more than 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) and the ability to stay airborne indefinitely with aerial refueling, the Reapers will provide a substantial boost to US forces in the region.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Tribal nations report no immediate significant effects on services like healthcare and education.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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So then the woman tried calling out to other significant names in her life.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Kremlin’s influence has been considerable in Moldova.—
John E. Herbst,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Swamp re-opened in 2022 after having to move from its original building of 25 years, which was purchased and razed (to considerable local outrage); its spirit lives on in the new location just four minutes away from the first.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet those football sackings ate up 28 per cent of their wage bill savings, and came at a time when the club is still incurring the costs of its sizeable downsizing.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Team owners are expecting a sizable bump on the next deal, which would kick in after the 2027-28 season.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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