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
3
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 Inhalant use is not generally physically addictive in the same way as other substances, says LeConte. Sarah Scott, Parents, 12 June 2025 As Americans, we are allowed to disagree on the substance of the issue—but ad hominem attacks have no place in the public square. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 The new report says these institutions are also twice as likely as other hospitals to provide clinical services such as trauma centers, organ transplant centers, birthing rooms and substance use disorder care. Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 11 June 2025 The justices’ argument, however, largely hinged on questioning the physician plaintiffs’ right to sue the FDA to restore conditions rather than the substance of the case. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
  • The potential for chaos and confusion in an evacuation became all-too-apparent last December, when a magnitude 7 earthquake struck about 30 miles off the Humboldt County coast.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • The Trump administration has expressed interest in exploring psychedelics for their potential in treating PTSD and other debilitating mental health issues, various officials have shared.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • That really captured the essence of the dark ages and the medieval world.
    Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Quotable Time is of the essence for these students.
    Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Among married couples in the top 1 percent by wealth or income, 70 percent prioritized men’s careers and had a gender-traditional division of labor.
    Joan C. Williams June 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
  • As Managing Director at Euclid Harding, Brian Lasher works at the intersection of family, wealth and enterprise.
    Brian Lasher, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Two dozen of the Han tombs are pit tombs, with decayed coffins and burial objects like pots, kettles, bowls and stoves, according to the release.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
  • Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The collected material makes a persuasive case for self-forgiveness.
    Dayna Tortorici, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • The material is being produced at a factory in Iowa and will scale to 65 tons a year, with the first large-scale shipments expected this fall for inclusion in spring collections.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Those who like taking their SUV or truck out to the middle of nowhere to commune with nature and enjoy quality time with friends and family will appreciate the Howler Brothers theme.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • But, in the Old Master paintings in which Saville had steeped herself, representations of children, especially in religious imagery, often missed something essential about their nature, and about the ways in which maternal care taxes even the most devoted.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • In the complaint, Aaron asks that neither party be awarded alimony and that both parties' community assets and debts are in accordance with Nevada law.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The dots represented arts organizations, creative businesses, studios, galleries, performance venues, and cultural and historic assets.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Different priorities between the two entities were leading to conflicts, such as concerns that the hospital would dominate decision-making.
    Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
  • In fact, unless a black hole is actively in the middle of eating gas, dust or massive stars, the ominous entities remain invisible to us.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on substance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!