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
Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Chicago isn’t just on the clock where Bedard is concerned; that clock has arguably already struck midnight, given how long it’s taken for Chicago to take the substantive steps forward that any successful rebuilding team should.
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Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
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
Adjective
If the government has had so much contact and recovered so much alien technology how could there be no substantive leaks (like a physical piece of evidence) about it over 70 years?
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Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Chicago isn’t just on the clock where Bedard is concerned; that clock has arguably already struck midnight, given how long it’s taken for Chicago to take the substantive steps forward that any successful rebuilding team should.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
24 June 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
Adjective
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The amount was $2, but in a world where a farmworker’s wages might only be $5 a day, that was substantial, said Dahmer’s son, Dennis Dahmer Sr.
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The breadth of the acquisition represented by the two gifts establishes the Menil Collection as one of the most substantial repositories of Winters’ work in the United States, the museum said.
Adjective
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That’s reigniting age-old feuds about production quotas that already led the United Arab Emirates, one of OPEC’s most significant members, to leave the group in April.
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It is recommended that any batteries in devices that will be stored for significant periods should undergo a maintenance routine to maintain their health by charging them to half capacity every six months.
Adjective
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The vehicle had considerable front-end damage, and the airbags were deployed.
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Such an acquisition would enhance Abu Dhabi’s already considerable and diverse arsenal of standoff weapons.
Adjective
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The hard-right Vox party at one stage even reached out to Latinos, now a sizable voting bloc, assuming that Catholic, Evangelical, and anti-Communist members of those communities would share right-wing values.
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Other states with sizable contingents include West Virginia, Nebraska, Florida and Louisiana.
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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