1
as in significant
having great meaning or lasting effect
substantial changes to the school dress code that made a lot of people unhappy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind
the amount he inherited was quite substantial, so he quit his job and set out to see the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in physical
relating to or composed of matter
the Land of Oz turned out to be a world of dreams, even less substantial than a rainbow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention
there's been a substantial increase in attendance at girls' volleyball games ever since the start of their winning streak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantial
The disruption to flows of oil and gas has been so substantial that transport costs, and ultimately the price paid per barrel, are likely to stay elevated indefinitely.
—
Rob Wile, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Together, these findings suggest that at least part of the surge reflects a real increase in the number of substantial incoming objects.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The Moon and Mars lack magnetic fields, so radiation levels on their surfaces are substantial.
—Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Money wars For a sense of the casino and gambling industry’s substantial resources, roughly 100 entities in its orbit together spent almost $40 million on lobbying in 2024 and contributed about $64 million to political groups or candidates in the 2024 election cycle, according to Open Secrets.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Rob Wile, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Together, these findings suggest that at least part of the surge reflects a real increase in the number of substantial incoming objects.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The Moon and Mars lack magnetic fields, so radiation levels on their surfaces are substantial.
—Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Money wars For a sense of the casino and gambling industry’s substantial resources, roughly 100 entities in its orbit together spent almost $40 million on lobbying in 2024 and contributed about $64 million to political groups or candidates in the 2024 election cycle, according to Open Secrets.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial
Adjective
-
Leon was seeking gender reassignment surgery, which come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Leon is seeking gender confirmation surgery and his needs come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The school year in West Ada will come to a close in a couple of months, but Idaho’s largest school district is gearing up for a big change.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
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It was hung roughly a year after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, to express solidarity with the twelve hundred people who were murdered—in the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust—and with the two hundred and fifty-one people Hamas had abducted.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Roberts has heard a lot from his Gen-Z staff that 2026 is the analog year, meaning people are staying off their phones more, getting rid of social media and seeking out more physical media.—
Joseph Hernandez
March 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the incidents had not resulted in physical injuries; in some cases, prosecutors charged people for assaulting agents with such weapons as a tambourine, an umbrella, and a Subway sandwich.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of these trades were so large, Khouw said, that whoever placed them would have needed tens of millions of dollars in margin reserves, indicating a considerable level of financial sophistication and wealth.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Torrey Pines High School and San Diego Surf alum’s local pedigree may also boost the fifth-year Wave, who through no fault of the club’s current leaders, lost considerable star power in recent years, contributing to an attendance decline.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Being honest with yourself before making major purchases should protect your long-term stability.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Trump’s election proved that a sizable contingent of the population had no problem imposing their values on others—and even hoped that the government might do so for them.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In North Texas, there were more than a dozen rallies, each drawing a sizable crowd.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Work with your manager on a concrete plan.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, broader accountability for Israeli soldiers’ role in supporting settlers and concrete action against rampant Israeli settler violence remains lacking.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Shah’s Western orientation extended to culture, and a wide range of artistically important international films could be seen in Tehran, in time including those of the French New Wave.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Past wars have not been dictated by the operating hours of the NYSE, but in this presidential worldview, there is no more important constraint.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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