substantial

adjective

sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
Synonyms of substantial
1
a
: consisting of or relating to substance
b
: not imaginary or illusory : real, true
c
: important, essential
2
: ample to satisfy and nourish : full
a substantial meal
3
a
: possessed of means : well-to-do
b
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
earned a substantial wage
4
: firmly constructed : sturdy
a substantial house
5
: being largely but not wholly that which is specified
a substantial lie
substantial noun
substantiality
səb-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce substantial (audio)
noun
substantially
səb-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce substantial (audio)
adverb
substantialness
səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl-nəs How to pronounce substantial (audio)
noun

Synonyms of substantial

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Examples of substantial in a Sentence

A substantial number of people commute to work each day. Activities like that pose a substantial risk of injury. She purchased her tickets at a substantial discount. Only the buildings that were constructed of more substantial materials survived the earthquake. I was hoping that they would serve us something more substantial than wine and cheese.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That said, the targeting software and operational testing still require substantial work. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026 The eventual agreement delivered substantial raises for players and a seven-year deal running through 2032, giving her successor a foundation for the years ahead. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 The transition offers a substantial wage gain—and demands large investments in schooling and credentialing to make it. — Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 But in a similar move to the substantial losses that Iran had been dealt by the US and Israel earlier in the war, the Houthis chose asymmetric targets. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substantial

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of substantial was in the 14th century

Rhymes for substantial

See All Rhymes for substantial

Browse Nearby Words

substantiable
substantial
substantial damages
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Cite this Entry

“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substantial. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

substantial

adjective
sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan-chəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
1
a
: consisting of or relating to substance : material
b
: not imaginary : real
the substantial world
c
: important sense 1, essential
substantial differences
2
: enough to satisfy and nourish
a substantial meal
3
a
: prosperous sense 1
a substantial farmer
b
: considerable in quantity : significantly large
a substantial increase
4
: firmly constructed
a substantial building
substantiality
-ˌstan-chē-ˈal-ət-ē How to pronounce substantial (audio)
noun
substantially
-ˈstanch-(ə-)lē How to pronounce substantial (audio)
adverb

Legal Definition

substantial

adjective
sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan-chəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to substance
b
: not illusory : having merit
failed to raise a substantial constitutional claim
c
: having importance or significance : material
a substantial step had not been taken toward commission of the crime—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
2
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
identification of serious and substantial failure to perform—U.S. Code
compare de minimis
substantiality
-ˌstan-chē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce substantial (audio)
noun
substantially adverb
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