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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nominal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantive
Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
There wasn’t a meeting or a substantive discussion where the mantra wasn’t repeated.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
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
The piece emphasizes that candidates have largely avoided substantive discussion about how to maintain current costly programs while introducing new ones.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
There wasn’t a meeting or a substantive discussion where the mantra wasn’t repeated.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
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
-
Trust develops through a substantial body of online content, including articles, podcasts, videos, and books.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The unions, which represent locomotive engineers, machinists, signalmen and other train workers, have said more substantial raises were warranted to help workers keep up with inflation and rising living costs.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Indeed, the tapping of an individual button is perhaps the least significant event on the planet, shifting nothing apart from the dust beneath it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Although prices have since pulled back somewhat, prices in Europe, the United States, and Singapore remain well above pre-conflict levels, and cost pressures on the aviation industry remain significant.—
,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
The decision to run it back has been met with considerable skepticism — and reasonably so.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Also, again, the last one also very considerable amount of money on arms sales.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Steak Pies and Boba (Australia) Costco has a sizable and growing presence down under, and fans are drawn to the chain's unique Australian offerings unavailable elsewhere.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
-
Palmer has been a shining success despite this season’s struggles, but frequent injuries have called into question the sizeable transfer fees paid for Lavia and Gittens.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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