substantial

adjective

səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
Definition of substantialnext
1
as in significant
having great meaning or lasting effect substantial changes to the school dress code that made a lot of people unhappy

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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

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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

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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

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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 substantial An ill-fitting board role, despite its potential, may not be worthwhile given the substantial investment required. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The material is handsome, virtually indestructible, and capable of supporting the home’s most substantial resident. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 As part of the settlement, the company agreed to make substantial changes to its products in addition to paying billions of dollars in penalties. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026 Its double-layer structure gives the sweater a more substantial feel, while the ribbed cuffs, neckline, and hem add elevated details to the relaxed shape. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial
  1. significant
  2. large
  3. physical
  4. considerable
  5. major
  6. sizable
  7. concrete
  8. important
Adjective
  • Claiming the 29-year-old Robert would require a more significant financial commitment than Sewald.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The advanced weapon features AV’s 20kW-class LOCUST LWS integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform–a significant advancement in mobile, frontline C-UAS capabilities.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • To study dark energy, Roman will measure how gravity bends light across large cosmic distances — creating a 3D map of dark matter in the process.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In 2022, Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a website created to sell generic medication at a lower price than most large pharmacies.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • Long-term concessions give foreign companies considerable influence over critical infrastructure.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • With the excitement will come considerable outside expectations he’s never experienced — some of Sumrall’s own making.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Businesses considering major investments pay close attention to regulatory risk.
    — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Eleven million sales in America, countless radio spins and nearly a billion Spotify streams, and the copyright is Parton’s alone, bringing in millions of dollars on its own as a sizable piece of the icon’s expansive business empire.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The interest charges alone can consume a sizable share of the monthly credit card payments, especially now that card rates are averaging over 22%.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • Apart from deepening its presence in existing markets, IHH is also considering expanding into adjacent countries, though Prem admits that no concrete plans have yet been made.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Brennan points to code review as a concrete example of what the new model looks like.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of concrete
Adjective
  • That has changed quietly, with robots now performing important roles in operating rooms, hospital wards, rehabilitation centers, and corridors around the world.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Reseeding is particularly important in high-traffic areas or patches of the lawn where grubs, heat, or disease have left the turf thin.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of important

Browse Nearby Words

substandard
substantial
substantiality
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Cite this Entry

“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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