substantive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsəb-stən-tiv How to pronounce substantive (audio)
Definition of substantivenext
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

substantive

2 of 2

noun

as in nominal

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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
Adjective
Asking tough, substantive questions to those in power is the job of every journalist, and Dana did hers incredibly well today. — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 Many entries required only small corrections; others needed more substantive changes. — Carson Griffith, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Noun
With his substantive, agreeably granular bass, David Grogan gave prophetic warnings real authority. — Dallas News, 23 Dec. 2022 California’s climate agenda mixes the symbolic with the substantive. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for substantive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantive
  1. substantial
  2. significant
  3. considerable
  4. sizable
Adjective
  • But developers accustomed to CUDA may need to rewrite and optimize substantial portions of their existing code before moving their training workloads to Ascend.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Business organizations, for example, typically devote substantial resources to risk management.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of substantial
Adjective
  • Low-income Americans who can’t afford to buy into the housing market and who lack a significant presence in the stock market are starting on their back foot.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Apple needs significant upload capacty include the volume of shipping required to bring the iPhones to market.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • The proposal has drawn considerable concern from residents, especially regarding traffic.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Villa go in as considerable underdogs — 7/2 to win in normal time and 2/1 to lift the trophy — and pulling it off would represent another big result in what has already been a landmark year for the club.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • Pakistan must manage its sizeable Shiite population and its sensitive relationship with Tehran, while Turkey and Iran share concerns over Kurdish separatism despite competing elsewhere in the region.
    — Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The timing shook out nicely, considering Berg would go on to be tapped to succeed Don Garber as MLS’ next commissioner and has subsequently been tasked with unloading his sizable ownership stake in LAFC.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of sizable

Browse Nearby Words

substantiations
substantive
substantiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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