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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nominal
Related Words
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 substantive
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Universities may require more substantive checks on all donations independent of size and source.
—Brian Herman, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Adjective
Some have decided that AI is either simply fake (this is not the experience of the software engineers now using it at remarkable scale), while others have substantive qualms about its impact on culture, politics, and labor that seem to be captured in support for local opposition to data centers.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Universities may require more substantive checks on all donations independent of size and source.
—Brian Herman, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantive
Adjective
-
Aiden Robbins took the most substantial swing of the night in that inning, driving a two-run, back-side home run to right field.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Young described the difference as substantial, enough rain to make the small blades of grass stand up enough for putts to hold their line.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s a significant detail, because many of them are agreeing to go on with suits.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In an unusual show of support for someone convicted of such a significant crime, about 50 people attended Lauer’s sentencing hearing on Monday, including his sister, children, two rabbis and members of his religious congregation.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Colorado Avalanche Information Center Avalanche danger in some parts of the high country is considerable, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes and on large open slopes just below ridgelines.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
There’s been considerable debate over just how much institutional ownership there is in the housing market and what impact that has.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The attendance figure broke a club record for the Paradise, and part of that came from a sizable AC Boise section of fans who chanted and cheered throughout the game.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
-
These fees are to be used to pay a sizable chunk of the entry fee into the MAC, with the university then being able to keep them thereafter.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
