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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nominal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples 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 substantive
Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
O’Shea’s goal helped win the 2006-07 Premier League title, whereas Maguire finding the net here would have delivered a memorable away victory, but likely nothing more substantive.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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
Another, more substantive asset is its style, which calls to mind narratives like End of Watch in its incorporation of dash cam, body cam and cell phone footage alongside more conventional handheld camerawork.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
O’Shea’s goal helped win the 2006-07 Premier League title, whereas Maguire finding the net here would have delivered a memorable away victory, but likely nothing more substantive.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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
-
If the initial list is any indication, however, any legislative bans on DEI initiatives might prove more performative than substantial.—
Sarah Blaskey,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Some lawmakers, particularly Democrats, also criticize the long-running U.S. policy of giving substantial arms aid to Egypt.—
Edward Wong,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
And the price tag — not his abilities — has prevented LaVine from being moved despite significant interest from both the Bulls and LaVine over the past year.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
-
All will get significant work this spring, with Beck recovering from elbow surgery.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Houston was forecast to see considerable disruptions and dangerous driving conditions.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Crosby has been the victim of considerable abuse in his NHL career, notably being cross-checked in the head by the New York Rangers’ Marc Staal and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Brandon Dubinsky.—
Josh Yohe,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Why is there such a sizable difference in NET despite how much stronger the schedule and victories have been for Teams B and D?—
Mark Schindler,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Several Republican members of Congress will also attend, but a sizable number of congressional Democrats are planning to skip Trump’s swearing in—including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to substantive
Thesaurus Entries Near substantive
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share