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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of substance
Inmates in the program treat substance abuse issues with medication.
—
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Anderson has been accused of many things: putting style before substance, being too sardonic as to lack emotionality, leaning too hard into nostalgia, becoming too fastidious for his own good.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Bottega Veneta has long rejected the flash of logos for the substance of craft, an energy that mirrors Buchanan’s own approach to fashion through his brand, Sansovino 6.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 30 May 2025
On a personal level, attorneys may suffer from strained relationships, substance abuse and even suicidal ideation.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Anderson has been accused of many things: putting style before substance, being too sardonic as to lack emotionality, leaning too hard into nostalgia, becoming too fastidious for his own good.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Bottega Veneta has long rejected the flash of logos for the substance of craft, an energy that mirrors Buchanan’s own approach to fashion through his brand, Sansovino 6.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 30 May 2025
On a personal level, attorneys may suffer from strained relationships, substance abuse and even suicidal ideation.
—Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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In other practice sessions not open to the media, Star-Telegram sources have said that Milton has had multiple eye-popping throws downfield that give a glimpse into his potential.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2025
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First and foremost is the potential for an MLB owners lockout after the 2026 season concludes, a disruption that would immediately impact revenue for a new owner.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
Noun
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That really captured the essence of the dark ages and the medieval world.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Quotable Time is of the essence for these students.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Estimates suggest that over $124 trillion is poised to change hands as Baby Boomers transfer their wealth to the next generation.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are also examples of how profit—and the influence and wealth that come with it—can be leveraged to improve not just a company or an industry, but the entire world.—
Alyson Shontell,
Fortune,
2 June 2025
Noun
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The team used advanced computational methods to identify the object’s distinctive trajectory pattern in the sky.—
Nick Butler,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
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The discovery marks the first time that such objects, called long-period transients, have been detected in X-rays, the team said in announcing the findings.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
31 May 2025
Noun
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These temperatures can also degrade and even destroy the structure of standard materials.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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Now, having gone four years without dropping an album, the group is feeling understandably excited about finally getting to share new material.—
Lawrence Burney,
Pitchfork,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Given the sensitive nature of payments and financial transactions, companies cannot afford to rely solely on AI without rigorous oversight.—
Dean Leavitt,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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What Happens Next The volatile nature of Trump's approval ratings is likely to continue as White House policies take effect and new developments take shape.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Noun
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In the complaint, Aaron asks that neither party be awarded alimony and that both parties' community assets and debts are in accordance with Nevada law.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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The dots represented arts organizations, creative businesses, studios, galleries, performance venues, and cultural and historic assets.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For example, there were separate legal entities for KFC Asia and KFC Europe.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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These are very different entities than NPR and PBS—some have roots in the counter-propaganda operations of the Second World War and the Cold War, and all of them are still seen as tools of U.S. soft power—but they are designed to be editorially independent, and often do produce good journalism.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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