significant

adjective

sig-ˈni-fi-kənt How to pronounce significant (audio)
Definition of significantnext
1
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect made a significant change in the procedure for applying for citizenship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indicative
indicating something the town's generous library budget is significant of the value its residents place on learning

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in influential
having great power or influence a producer who is playing a significant role in the creation of the new film

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention paid a significant amount of money for the movie rights to the book

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) after remarking that tardiness was on the rise, our boss cast a significant glance my way

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of significant Engstrand sits next to Rees in the Falcons’ coaching booth, lending a helping hand when necessary, and his experience has been a significant benefit to the 34-year-old Rees in his first full season as an NFL play-caller. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Yet, behind the milestone, significant challenges are coming to a head. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 River flooding is also expected, and some areas could experience significant flooding. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 River flooding is also expected, some of which could be significant. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for significant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significant
  1. major
  2. indicative
  3. influential
  4. considerable
  5. suggestive
  6. important
  7. reflective
  8. powerful
Adjective
  • The Category 3 storm has grown into a major hurricane, the first of an unusually quiet Atlantic season, and is expected to make landfall Friday night.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Most major mergers are consummated after executives have dedicated months to quietly drafting detailed operational plans and organizational hierarchies.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • While there’s still a lot of soccer to be played this season, the Roos’ 3-1 win over Tulsa might be indicative of where the program stands today.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The incident is indicative of a growing problem in the Asheville area, involving humans giving hungry bears easy access to a buffet of tasty trash, experts say.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicative
Adjective
  • Medellín is also home to influential streetwear brands inspired by the city’s reggaeton culture.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Anarchism was unequivocally a powerful organizing force in Italian communities and an influential force in labor politics.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • But the fee puts considerable professional access within reach of people financing their own ambitions.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In Japan, this has meant not only a great deal of collusion between yakuza gangs and law enforcement but also considerable overlap between crime and politics—especially, though not exclusively, right-wing politics.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • At the time, fans were quick to point out that the majority of the crew members seen in the clip were men, while Sweeney was sitting in a suggestive pose.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Messages in 2024 between Johnson and Duffey revealed the two men used suggestive language.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • However, the Georgia program remains an important step in establishing how the technology will work within real railway operations.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Between Fletcher’s corn dogs, some Deep Fried Fat, Texas/OU at the Texas State Fair remains in the top five of college sporting events, and this version of a rivalry that is so important to this region lived up to its stature.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • This in-shower treatment smooths the cuticle for reflective, glass-like shine, leaving strands softer, silkier, and ultra-glossy in just one minute.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • De Baise explained that this is reflective of a popular footwear trend of the ’90s, a decade Vaccarello is widely known to be aesthetically attached to.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • At Gucci, the iconic Horsebit takes center stage across bags, belts and shoes, transforming timeless house codes into powerful statement accessories.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Simon has weakened to a Category 2 storm, its eye remaining just offshore as its most powerful winds and rain slammed communities between the Sierra Madre and the ocean and were forecast to persist off the coast of Puerto Vallarta.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of powerful

Phrases Containing significant

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significances
significant
significantly
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Cite this Entry

“Significant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significant. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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