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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property
measure the worth of a person not by his earthly substance but by his good deeds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
County officials were quick to justify their spending and argued DOGE’s report lacked substance, saying the state’s figures didn’t add up and pointing out how prices have skyrocketed.
—
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Emily began writing Wuthering Heights in the autumn of 1845, only weeks after her substance-abusing brother, Branwell, had returned from a trip to Liverpool.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Volunteers then conduct extensive background checks, ask if the person is willing to work and check for substance abuse history.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
They have been shown repeatedly to reduce mortality, stabilize housing and increase engagement with health care for people with substance use disorders.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Emily began writing Wuthering Heights in the autumn of 1845, only weeks after her substance-abusing brother, Branwell, had returned from a trip to Liverpool.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Volunteers then conduct extensive background checks, ask if the person is willing to work and check for substance abuse history.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
They have been shown repeatedly to reduce mortality, stabilize housing and increase engagement with health care for people with substance use disorders.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
-
Most people at the meeting, held over Microsoft Teams, expressed excitement at the potential for conservation in an area stretching from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance, plus 200 yards inland.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
But potential alone does not pay the bills, lower energy costs or create opportunity.—
Steve Hershey,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And the essence of democracy — public debate over public policy — would be hollowed out entirely.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
As the nation enters its next 250 years, working toward reestablishing the concept as a reality for millions of people who have fallen behind may be vital to maintaining the essence of the American promise.—
Mark Robert Rank,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To some, that might seem like a lot, says Douglas Boneparth, president of wealth management firm Bone Fide Wealth.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some are tech billionaires from California, drawn by Florida’s business-friendly climate and concerns over possible new wealth taxes in their home state.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At some point, those fuel sources will be exhausted, no further energy will be naturally extracted from what remains within them, and those once-brilliant objects will fade away into darkness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
From a design perspective, that reinforces Ratti’s desire to keep the emphasis on the flame itself and not the object.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The approach allows a single sheet of material to perform multiple functions at once, including adaptive camouflage, information encryption and decryption, and shape morphing.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
There is no efficient transport of material in-and-out of the core, and thus, most of the star’s interior never gets a chance to fuse simply because of its location.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Let nature star in your indoor seasonal displays with these creative ideas for bulbs for winter flowers.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Very social by nature, Marie enjoys connecting with others and forms strong bonds with both peers and adults when a genuine connection is made.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s military has warned that any attack would be met with an immediate and decisive response, including strikes on US forces and assets in the region.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Management said that about 60% of 2025 capex went toward machine line servers, with the remaining 40% going to longer-duration assets, including data centers (including the physical building) and networking equipment.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But as a wise man once said, profit is the price of admission to the future (except for entities with the power to tax).—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Calling out corporate entities and concentration of power as enemies also appears to be a winning strategy for Democrats in their messaging tactics.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
