significant

adjective

sig-ˈni-fi-kənt How to pronounce significant (audio)
Definition of significantnext
1
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect made a significant change in the procedure for applying for citizenship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indicative
indicating something the town's generous library budget is significant of the value its residents place on learning

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3
as in influential
having great power or influence a producer who is playing a significant role in the creation of the new film

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4
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention paid a significant amount of money for the movie rights to the book

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5
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) after remarking that tardiness was on the rise, our boss cast a significant glance my way

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 significant Bajaj said that this may be because while the trial’s results are a significant breakthrough for the field of cancer vaccines, the difference between taking Keytruda and the vaccine compared with Keytruda alone is still relatively modest. — David Cox, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 But the striking of key levels across equity and bond markets could signal a more significant shift into safe-haven assets. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Democrats will need a significant share of crossover Republican and no party voters to opt for their candidates win a statewide race next month. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 However, the change does not guarantee a significant or sustained decline, according to GasBuddy. — Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for significant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significant
  1. major
  2. indicative
  3. influential
  4. considerable
  5. suggestive
  6. important
  7. reflective
  8. powerful
Adjective
  • Of all the major North American sports, baseball is the only one without a salary cap.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The next major milestone will be demonstrating the interceptor’s performance in flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The world building is easier to understand and less dense than Crescent City, and the tone is also the most indicative of SJM’s writing on the whole; Throne of Glass started as a YA series, then becomes more adult over time.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The way this game played out was indicative of what Mahomes’ career has become.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicative
Adjective
  • Just 3% of respondents expect electricity demand from AI to be lower than forecast; a majority see the technology as becoming more influential than innovations in renewable energy over the next decade.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The backstory One of a raft of Six Senses openings, the hotel is owned by the influential architect Jonathan Leitersdorf.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • Despite the protests, Vucic retained considerable support among many of Serbia's voters.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The spectre of Midwest emo looms large; American Football in particular casts a considerable shadow.
    — Nick Laskin, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • The effect dissipates somewhat whenever Cahyono resorts to less suggestive, more blatantly surreal imagery.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Though revealing, his version of naked dressing was tantalizingly suggestive rather than explicitly bare.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • Helium plays an important role in wind, solar and nuclear energy production, space exploration, medical imaging and research.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Education and giving back are important values to the family as the project represents for them a broader impact within the natural diamond industry.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • Community members' opposition to data center development in Memphis is reflective of the broader attitude across America in recent months.
    — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national and West Adams resident, appeared in court wearing a reflective vest with the name of a landscaping company, blue jeans and boots with the American flag on them.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • Netanyahu, who has close ties with politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties, has resisted attempts to end the exemptions.
    — Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And that includes his warning that TV news has been corrupted by the agendas of the powerful, wealthy billionaires who now control a large portion of the media.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of powerful

Phrases Containing significant

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Cite this Entry

“Significant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significant. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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