substantial
adjective
sub·stan·tial
səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl 
1
2
: ample to satisfy and nourish : full
a substantial meal
3
a
: possessed of means : well-to-do
b
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
earned a substantial wage
4
: firmly constructed : sturdy
a substantial house
5
: being largely but not wholly that which is specified
a substantial lie
substantial
noun
Synonyms
Examples of substantial in a Sentence
A substantial number of people commute to work each day.
Activities like that pose a substantial risk of injury.
She purchased her tickets at a substantial discount.
Only the buildings that were constructed of more substantial materials survived the earthquake.
I was hoping that they would serve us something more substantial than wine and cheese.
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year, the Minnesota Legislature allocated substantial funding for schools, however, this funding brought with it dozens of new mandates with revenue earmarked for specific purposes.
—
Dr. Michael Thomas, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
For years, the Hornets bemoaned their lack of a true center who was both young and had substantial upside.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2025
Iraqi Kurds have achieved a measure of autonomy, Syrian Kurds have established de facto self-rule, and Turkish Kurds have gained substantial political representation.
—Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made By History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
Finally, Musk’s companies SpaceX and StarLink are substantial federal contractors.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for substantial 
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Dr. Michael Thomas, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
For years, the Hornets bemoaned their lack of a true center who was both young and had substantial upside.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2025
Iraqi Kurds have achieved a measure of autonomy, Syrian Kurds have established de facto self-rule, and Turkish Kurds have gained substantial political representation.
—Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made By History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
Finally, Musk’s companies SpaceX and StarLink are substantial federal contractors.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for substantial
Dictionary Entries Near substantial
Cite this Entry
“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substantial. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substantial
adjective
sub·stan·tial
səb-ˈstan-chəl
1
a
: consisting of or relating to substance : material
b
: not imaginary : real
the substantial world
c
: important sense 1, essential
substantial differences
2
: enough to satisfy and nourish
a substantial meal
3
a
: prosperous sense 1
a substantial farmer
b
: considerable in quantity : significantly large
a substantial increase
4
: firmly constructed
a substantial building
Legal Definition
substantial
adjective
sub·stan·tial
səb-ˈstan-chəl
1
a
: of or relating to substance
b
: not illusory : having merit
failed to raise a substantial constitutional claim
c
: having importance or significance : material
a substantial step had not been taken toward commission of the crime—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.2
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
identification of serious and substantial failure to perform—U.S. Code
compare de minimis
U.S. Code
substantially
adverb
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