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
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
High level dialogues about tokenized money, including stablecoins, was woven into substantive discussions at all levels of programming.
—Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 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
This approach has attracted a growing group of contributors who view the platform not as an opportunity to be promoted, but as a place to publish substantive work for a professional audience.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
High level dialogues about tokenized money, including stablecoins, was woven into substantive discussions at all levels of programming.
—Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 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
-
Still, that leaves a substantial audience who will find much to enjoy in this grisly yet sensitive take on the old maxim that every baby is different.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Governor Abbott’s property tax reform plan includes a constitutional amendment to abolish school district maintenance & operations property taxes for homeowners, which will result in substantial property tax savings.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Earlier this week, the UN Refugee agency said a significant number of residents had left Al-Hol camp, the other major detention camp in Syria, and that the Syrian government plans to relocate them.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The direct meeting with Grossi is a significant step after Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA following the 12-day war in June with Israel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Keaton Wagler, Illinois Even the considerable early-season hype around Wagler could not have predicted this.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
However, athletes are at considerable risk for eating disorders and having an unhealthy relationship with food and their bodies.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Year of the Horse provides a natural opportunity for a sizable number of Western brands to connect to the holiday.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Canary Islands have developed into a strong option for international productions, with sizeable local tax credits and an ecosystem of experienced production workers.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
