SIGNIFICANCE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'significance' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence , importance , moment , and weight . While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized. // the treaty's significance

Q: When is 'consequence' a more appropriate choice than 'significance'?

The words consequence and significance can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects. // the style you choose is of little consequence

Q: In what contexts can 'importance' take the place of 'significance'?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone. // a region with no cities of importance

Q: When would 'moment' be a good substitute for 'significance'?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. // a decision of great moment

Q: Where would 'weight' be a reasonable alternative to 'significance'?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. // the argument carried no weight with the judge

significance

noun

sig-ˈni-fi-kən(t)s

Definition of significance

as in meaning

the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action the significance of that word is much debated by biblical scholars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in importance

the quality or state of being important the political significance of the special commission's report

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun significance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence, importance, moment, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

When is consequence a more appropriate choice than significance?

The words consequence and significance can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

In what contexts can importance take the place of significance?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When would moment be a good substitute for significance?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would weight be a reasonable alternative to significance?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

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 significance The unsolved 1898 murder of a 52-year-old woman, Sarah Ware, in Bucksport, Maine, illustrates how ghost stories can have historical significance and flood the present with the past. — Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 The governing party, meanwhile, sought to minimize the significance of Machado’s return. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer, president of the competition jury at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival, talked about the significance of ‘A-list’ ratings for film festivals at the jury press conference today. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026 The race has taken on significance beyond Michigan, with Republicans casting El-Sayed as a symbol of a Democratic Party moving further to the left. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for significance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance

Noun

Nighthawks poses a series of questions and references that together offer the viewer traces of meaning.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
The thing becomes kind of boring and has lost all meaning to it.

— Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of meaning

Noun

These findings point to the importance of substantive local relationships for multinational companies.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The trade association acknowledged Children’s Mercy’s importance in providing specialized pediatric care, but said ACA coverage must remain financially sustainable across Missouri’s health care system.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of importance

Noun

The tightness of White’s control over his arrangements can occasionally foreclose the sense of chaotic freedom inherent to his more collaborative efforts.

— Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
This approach was meant to counter Vucic's one-man rule and restore a sense of community and solidarity.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

The port at Columbus, New Mexico, is the third to resume Mexican cattle imports under new safeguards, which include tests, shots and inspections that happen before an animal even gets close to the border.

— Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
According to Perpetua, there has been no commercial tungsten mining in the United States since 2015, leaving the country reliant on imports from a limited number of suppliers.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of import

Noun

Meanwhile, On and Dior have also reportedly removed Chinese promotional content featuring Mbappé, although neither had announced a global termination, according to Chinese news outlet Phoenix.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Wilson will lead the company’s podcast content acquisitions on a contract basis.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of content

Noun

The magnitude of the devastation is made personal for all of us.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
According to the research team, small tracking errors may still occur, but the method establishes mathematical bounds on their magnitude.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of magnitude

Noun

The League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause filed separately, warning that the DOJ’s demand to investigate voter intent presents severe constitutional hazards.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
This sense of a turning point imbues individual actions with a larger purpose and drives protesters to confront a police force intent on clearing the streets by whatever means necessary.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of intent

Noun

But this year, affordability polls in a tier by itself, and voters appear ready to deliver political consequences to Republicans, said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, who reviewed the findings.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Breaking the emergency glass and moving on from Butker during this season would carry significant financial consequences because of his contract.

— Pete Sweeney October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of consequence

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Style

“Significance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significance. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of significance

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