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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Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of substance
Using human cell models, French researchers demonstrated that mixtures of food additives can behave in unexpected and more toxic ways than individual substances alone.
—
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Alcohol Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of this disorder, which is the most common substance use disorder in the United States.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
But once Mulaney talked his wife Olivia Munn into giving him the cash because he’s not allowed to have more than $300 in cash due to his past issues with substance abuse, the manager then requested $100,000 and finally the Everybody’s Live crew began to notice the red flags.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
Whalers also brought spermaceti, a waxy substance that comes from a sperm whale’s head and is used to produce candles and lubricants for precision machinery like watches and clocks.
—Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Alcohol Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of this disorder, which is the most common substance use disorder in the United States.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
But once Mulaney talked his wife Olivia Munn into giving him the cash because he’s not allowed to have more than $300 in cash due to his past issues with substance abuse, the manager then requested $100,000 and finally the Everybody’s Live crew began to notice the red flags.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
Whalers also brought spermaceti, a waxy substance that comes from a sperm whale’s head and is used to produce candles and lubricants for precision machinery like watches and clocks.
—Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
Noun
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In terms of making dating safer, Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge, Match, and OKCupid (among many others), has the potential for a company-wide, coordinated effort to identify, ban and report abusers on its apps, but this doesn't seem to be a priority.—
Myisha Battle,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Many held a highly optimistic outlook on technology and its potential to solve human problems.—
Ian Urbina,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Accompanied by sweeping string arrangements and powerful blaring horns, the song encapsulates the essence of modern mariachi while staying rooted in its timeless traditions.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
18 Apr. 2025
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Pretty much, Orji’s focus for the live format isn’t to recreate what’s been done before, but making the experience her own while staying true to the essence of the show.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms.—
Andrew Collis,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The roster is filled with veteran and versatile players, especially on offense, and a wealth of young talent on defense.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What unites these objects, which range from the humble to the humorous, and the extremely high-end?—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
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From the candelabras to the pieces of furniture, Visconti’s collections are distinguished by cast-bronze and by furniture and objects that take their inspiration from organic forms and are sometimes even sculpted with pieces the designer herself collects in nature.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That’s because materials like steel and aluminum—alongside several other product categories—will face up to an additional 25-percent levy, on top of the 145-percent duty.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
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However, Volkanovski is one of the best to ever compete in the UFC’s 145-pound weight class, so those two sticking points might be little more than reference material to cite when discussing the main event of UFC 314.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The trio's storyline examined the changing nature of female friendships over time, and the role that wealth disparity plays in this dynamic.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Part of the issue in Toronto has to do with the nature of sports attendance in general over the past 20 years.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The combined entity will become the eighth-largest bank covered by government deposit insurance, the Fed said.—
Chris Prentice and Saeed Azhar,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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This year, the two entities solicited corporations to donate $75,000 to $200,000 in sponsorships with the promise of on-campus branding and logo displays typically banned due to concerns of private gain spurred by taxpayer dollars.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/substance. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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