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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
But analysts like Chong say China's rhetoric on free trade and multilateralism has outstripped its substantive actions.
—Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Adjective
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
Noun
An untrained defendant has no knowledge of the substantive law, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, or how to protect the record for appeal by objecting.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
But analysts like Chong say China's rhetoric on free trade and multilateralism has outstripped its substantive actions.
—Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantive
Adjective
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After new state data showed substantial academic gains, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education members defended a six-figure consulting contract Tuesday that raised questions earlier this year about family connections to the district.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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America hasn't seen substantial gains in pay equity or general support for women workers for the last several administrations, Robbins said.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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So, Hilleary will be in the odd position of facing a significant pay cut for getting a big promotion on Capitol Hill.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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According to Pliops, deploying Pliops XDP LightningAI in data centers offers significant cost savings.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Getting that crowd of Hollywood actors, supermodels, fashion designers and athletes in the same room for a group photo was a feat of complex calendar logistics requiring diplomacy and considerable industry sway.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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While there would be considerable tonnage of general entertainment cable networks, the main difference between the current scenario and 2019 is that CNN would be part of the package.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Owners and teams contractually assent to the league and commissioner having final, binding and conclusive authority, meaning courts would give the league sizable deference.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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This article discusses how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed charitable contribution tax deductions and why 2025 might be the right year for wealthy alums to make a sizable charitable contribution.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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