1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed many thought that the mayor's speech lacked substance because specific proposals for solving the city's problems were few

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2
3
4
as in object
one that has a real and independent existence the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body

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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 substance Using human cell models, French researchers demonstrated that mixtures of food additives can behave in unexpected and more toxic ways than individual substances alone. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025 Alcohol Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of this disorder, which is the most common substance use disorder in the United States. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025 But once Mulaney talked his wife Olivia Munn into giving him the cash because he’s not allowed to have more than $300 in cash due to his past issues with substance abuse, the manager then requested $100,000 and finally the Everybody’s Live crew began to notice the red flags. Angel Diaz, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025 Whalers also brought spermaceti, a waxy substance that comes from a sperm whale’s head and is used to produce candles and lubricants for precision machinery like watches and clocks. Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
  • But if Game 1 is any indication, this has the potential to be a short one.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Taking a player with the potential to cause problems is not what this team needs right now.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Accompanied by sweeping string arrangements and powerful blaring horns, the song encapsulates the essence of modern mariachi while staying rooted in its timeless traditions.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Pretty much, Orji’s focus for the live format isn’t to recreate what’s been done before, but making the experience her own while staying true to the essence of the show.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The roster is filled with veteran and versatile players, especially on offense, and a wealth of young talent on defense.
    Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms.
    Andrew Collis, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Do not approach water, wet objects, or metal items.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The ring both reveals the existence of the background object and magnifies it.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ideally, the company will have strong policies on managing workers' rights issues in the supply chain and sourcing materials in an eco-friendly way.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Featuring a 130-foot-wide (39.3m) mirror, the ELT will study the universe in visible light to provide a more detailed view of potentially habitable exoplanets, the formation of the first galaxies, supermassive black holes, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Algae fibers not only align with his brand ethos of bringing awareness to the creativity of nature, but also provide skin health benefits, and their harvesting process is low-waste and regenerative, according to a report by Smithsonian magazine.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the complaint, Aaron asks that neither party be awarded alimony and that both parties' community assets and debts are in accordance with Nevada law.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The dots represented arts organizations, creative businesses, studios, galleries, performance venues, and cultural and historic assets.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The shortest answer to this question is that a violin and a fiddle are structurally the same instrument, but it can certainly be argued that a fiddle is its own entity.
    Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The combined entity will become the eighth-largest bank covered by government deposit insurance, the Fed said.
    Chris Prentice and Saeed Azhar, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

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“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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