1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed
many thought that the mayor's speech lacked substance because specific proposals for solving the city's problems were few
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2
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is
tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wealth
the total of one's money and property
measure the worth of a person not by his earthly substance but by his good deeds
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in object
one that has a real and independent existence
the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of substance
That duality between instinct and calculation is what gives the film its substance.
—
Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
The Caffeinated Edge In a world increasingly focused on performance, clarity and longevity, caffeine stands out as one of the few substances capable of enhancing both short-term output and long-term brain health — when used judiciously.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition with genetic and environmental causes, whereas atopic dermatitis stems from an irritating substance that triggers a rash.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Causes of Glassy Eyes Glassy eyes can happen for many reasons, including eye conditions, allergies, dehydration, medications, and other substances.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
The Caffeinated Edge In a world increasingly focused on performance, clarity and longevity, caffeine stands out as one of the few substances capable of enhancing both short-term output and long-term brain health — when used judiciously.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition with genetic and environmental causes, whereas atopic dermatitis stems from an irritating substance that triggers a rash.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Causes of Glassy Eyes Glassy eyes can happen for many reasons, including eye conditions, allergies, dehydration, medications, and other substances.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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Healthcare providers consider several factors, including your medical history, cost and insurance coverage, and the potential for side effects or drug interactions.—
Karen Berger, PharmD,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
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The potential for fluoride toxicity does technically exist, for example, but would require consuming an amount of fluoridated water that would kill a human via water intoxication before the amount of fluoride could become harmful or deadly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That, in essence, is Thibodeau’s basketball religion: Selfless basketball rooted in read-and-react execution.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2025
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In essence, Hoyer’s fate is likely tied to the Tucker acquisition.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Peer learning and mentorship can provide insights into best practices for wealth accumulation.—
Meredith Moore,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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For decades, real estate has been heralded as the gold standard of wealth building in the Black community.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Videos show the museum in ruins, with piles of rubble and broken artifacts, confirming fears of looting raised in 2023, when satellite images showed trucks of objects leaving the building.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Baer’s thick stretcher paintings were never meant to thrust the medium into the domain of sculpture or even the object.—
Sarah K. Rich,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Given that everyone was into denim at the time, Belew wanted to recreate that look using this edgier material.—
Tim Moffatt,
EW.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Every dresser, table, and chair doesn’t need to be the exact same material and finish.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The precise nature of the impact has varied worldwide, depending on the role USAID played in the network of funding streams contributing to each country’s TB program.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2025
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The PJs are made with 95 percent viscose from bamboo, a fabric known for its soft, breathable nature.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Such efforts can help strengthen the protection of digital assets and customer data while addressing the evolving demands of API security.—
Michael Nicosia,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
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Data protection of organizations’ digital assets and consumer information is one of the critical areas where such collaboration is essential, especially as consumers place more emphasis on their personal data security.—
Michael Nicosia,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This result is also consistent with other findings from the study such as enrollees’ satisfaction with care being similar between for-profit and nonprofit entities.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Editors’ Picks Some of those tools were used on Friday when China responded to Mr. Trump’s tariffs by putting 11 American companies on an unreliable entities list, and another 16 on an export control list.—
David Pierson,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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