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
Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Chicago isn’t just on the clock where Bedard is concerned; that clock has arguably already struck midnight, given how long it’s taken for Chicago to take the substantive steps forward that any successful rebuilding team should.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Dallas News,
23 Dec. 2022
California’s climate agenda mixes the symbolic with the substantive.
—
Los Angeles Times,
17 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Adjective
If the government has had so much contact and recovered so much alien technology how could there be no substantive leaks (like a physical piece of evidence) about it over 70 years?
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Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Chicago isn’t just on the clock where Bedard is concerned; that clock has arguably already struck midnight, given how long it’s taken for Chicago to take the substantive steps forward that any successful rebuilding team should.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Noun
With his substantive, agreeably granular bass, David Grogan gave prophetic warnings real authority.
—
Dallas News,
23 Dec. 2022
California’s climate agenda mixes the symbolic with the substantive.
—
Los Angeles Times,
17 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for substantive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substantive
Adjective
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Trading commodities, futures, and options involves a substantial risk of loss.
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For smaller private colleges that are tuition dependent and lack substantial and accessible endowments, even a modest reduction in enrollment could prove calamitous.
Adjective
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That’s reigniting age-old feuds about production quotas that already led the United Arab Emirates, one of OPEC’s most significant members, to leave the group in April.
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It is recommended that any batteries in devices that will be stored for significant periods should undergo a maintenance routine to maintain their health by charging them to half capacity every six months.
Adjective
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The moves come as nostalgia continues to drive a considerable chunk of the music industry’s profits.
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Also expected to draw considerable interest are individual talks on how to co-produce with Italy, Canada, Spain, France, Chile, Mexico and Argentina, hosted by reps from each territory.
Adjective
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The hard-right Vox party at one stage even reached out to Latinos, now a sizable voting bloc, assuming that Catholic, Evangelical, and anti-Communist members of those communities would share right-wing values.
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Other states with sizable contingents include West Virginia, Nebraska, Florida and Louisiana.
Cite this Entry
“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substantive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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