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
Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
But even the more substantive criticisms of her work had taken on a nasty edge.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 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
Even if on the first occasion the case was returned the the lower court without a substantive ruling, there likely was preliminary discussion of the merits.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
But even the more substantive criticisms of her work had taken on a nasty edge.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 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
-
Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power Saturday after high winds raked eastward from the Great Lakes region, leaving trees down and substantial property damage in their wake.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power Saturday after high winds raked eastward from the Great Lakes region, leaving trees down and substantial property damage in their wake.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While most employees are working from the office again, a significant number are still working from home, and many aren’t coming in every weekday.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But the intersection where Zhu was killed and Kuang was gravely injured has seen no significant changes in the eight years since the collision — except the full removal of the crosswalk.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Servicing a mountainous areas like Escondido drives up costs, as an expensive network of pipes and pump stations is needed to move water up and down considerable inclines, said Kyle Morgan, the city’s acting director of utilities and wastewater.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
While long suspensions for kneeing are less common than for other plays in the NHL, there is precedent for players missing considerable time in these situations, especially when involving repeat offenders.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In Lagos, sourcing a sizable Uber for luggage can be tricky; transport to and from the airport can be arranged at a (costly) premium.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Though Lakhani has a sizeable lead in fundraising, his past has become an issue in the 12th District race.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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