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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantive
Matthew Kelly
updated April 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Most of the substantive discussion during the meeting revolved around how to define profound autism, a diagnosis that applies to about a quarter of people on the autism spectrum.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 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
House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who’s running for insurance commissioner, was unsparing in his criticism of Kelly’s decision to nix the one piece of substantive tax reform approved in 2026 by a Legislature bitterly divided over the best approach to delivering tax relief.
—Matthew Kelly
updated April 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Most of the substantive discussion during the meeting revolved around how to define profound autism, a diagnosis that applies to about a quarter of people on the autism spectrum.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 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
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Another challenge is that the resulting biogas contains a substantial fraction of carbon dioxide (CO2), which usually necessitates energy-intensive downstream separation.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
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Abel’s detailed knowledge about Berkshire’s operating businesses won praise, but the unexplained absence of substantial buybacks and a lack of clarity on the future of the equity portfolio and Berkshire’s big cash pile are coming up as negatives.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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BuzzFeed soon will make another round of significant cost cuts prior to Allen’s takeover, Peretti said in the statement.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Those troops are still there, and significant mistrust remains a threat to peace.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Gibson’s wigs may change along the way, but his considerable capabilities at conveying a range of personalities stay the course.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
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To stand a chance, Cîrstea had to refuse to be intimidated by Sabalenka’s phenomenally powerful hitting and considerable aura.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Germany, Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore all posted sizable surpluses, while several advanced and emerging economies remained in deficit.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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Account holders who treat their HSA this way can build a sizable balance, as with other investment accounts like 401(k)s that receive regular contributions and growth.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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