1
as in significant
having great meaning or lasting effect
substantial changes to the school dress code that made a lot of people unhappy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind
the amount he inherited was quite substantial, so he quit his job and set out to see the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in physical
relating to or composed of matter
the Land of Oz turned out to be a world of dreams, even less substantial than a rainbow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention
there's been a substantial increase in attendance at girls' volleyball games ever since the start of their winning streak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substantial
The scale of the upgrade is substantial.
—
Michael Cuviello, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Historical accounts acknowledge Chavez’s substantial organizational accomplishments, including galvanizing farmworkers across California in the mid-1960s and orchestrating the 1968 grape boycott that brought national attention to agricultural workers’ brutal conditions and substandard wages.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
For higher earners, however, the 25% cap often applies, meaning a substantial portion of your take-home pay could be withheld if the debt collection process progresses to this stage.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
China has built substantial energy insulation, including large crude stockpiles and a decade-long investment in solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
—Ram Charan, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Michael Cuviello, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Historical accounts acknowledge Chavez’s substantial organizational accomplishments, including galvanizing farmworkers across California in the mid-1960s and orchestrating the 1968 grape boycott that brought national attention to agricultural workers’ brutal conditions and substandard wages.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
For higher earners, however, the 25% cap often applies, meaning a substantial portion of your take-home pay could be withheld if the debt collection process progresses to this stage.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
China has built substantial energy insulation, including large crude stockpiles and a decade-long investment in solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
—Ram Charan, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantial
Adjective
-
Robots learn faster The GAE model marks a significant step forward in motion intelligence for humanoid and service robots, enabling machines to learn physical tasks more naturally and efficiently.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
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For many in South Florida, the possibility of compensation remains uncertain — with major questions lingering over eligibility, funding, and whether any agreement would require significant political concessions.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Mix in 1 large egg, beaten to blend.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Other large-city contests have also been watched closely.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond the physical pain of a torn ligament or a broken bone, a sports injury often strips a young athlete of a big part of their identity.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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After walking a few blocks, the protest turned physical when a man in a brown jacket stormed into the crowd of teens.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another study on homebuyers in Shanghai found that even those with considerable personal savings relied heavily on parental support to fund their purchases.—
Matthew Chin,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2026
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The bathroom countertop required a considerable amount of thought and planning.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
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Being honest with yourself before making major purchases should protect your long-term stability.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Vitello’s first team went 29-27, but the Vols took a sizable leap in 2019 by going 40-21.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Parking sensors and intuitive driver-assist technology help maneuver the sizable SUV through tight shopping-center lots, while the elevated seating position offers excellent visibility in urban traffic.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The prison, a low sprawl of concrete and razor wire that sits on the outskirts of the small town McLoud, was where Moss had spent virtually all her adult life.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has been heavily criticized for the lack of concrete evidence during this long investigation, revealed that his department is focusing on an incident that might have happened a few weeks before Nancy’s abduction.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Shah’s Western orientation extended to culture, and a wide range of artistically important international films could be seen in Tehran, in time including those of the French New Wave.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Past wars have not been dictated by the operating hours of the NYSE, but in this presidential worldview, there is no more important constraint.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantial. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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