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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nominal
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantive
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
She was invited to testify before the committee but refused to answer any substantive questions earlier this year.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 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
There won’t be any substantive discussion about access to weapons, right?
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
She was invited to testify before the committee but refused to answer any substantive questions earlier this year.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 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
-
The bookstore, a two-story antique barn located at the end of Main Street (literally, right where the sidewalk ends), has a separate children’s annex with educational books and games, plus a substantial young adults section on the second floor.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Even the sleeker Samsonite Proxis feels substantial without dragging you over the limit.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
More than anything, Bernard’s significant production at the college level should better position him to make an impact with a QB like Rodgers, who expects precision and professionalism.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The planet no longer has active plate tectonics and only experienced more significant geological activity in its distant past.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As one example, Servais pointed to a new pop-up fair in Brussels called Parloir that generated considerable buzz for its inaugural edition in the Belgian capital this year, held in an unused office building currently under construction.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Gabi Tuschak and her crew had already raised considerable sums of money.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If they do get relegated this season, the implications will be sizeable.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Nvidia, 6 months At least one sizable trader took advantage of those relatively cheaper options, buying 7,500 $230-strike calls expiring May 15 – a $413,000 transaction betting on a 13% ramp from here.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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