meaningful

adjective

ˈmē-niŋ-fəl How to pronounce meaningful (audio)
Definition of meaningfulnext
1
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) gave a meaningful sigh when I asked her how things were going

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having great meaning or lasting effect his time in office was too brief to accomplish anything meaningful

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 meaningful But the bigger problem may be that Matchbox is simply not as meaningful a property as Barbie, Masters of the Universe, or any of the dozen or so productions Mattel currently has in various stages of development. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 The research also showed the meaningful role recommerce can play for sellers. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 That can create a meaningful gap between what retirees and soon-to-be retirees once expected to spend and what their lifestyle actually costs today. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 In early September, SEIU Local 1000 Chief Negotiator Bobby Roy said the union is willing to return to the bargaining table if the state had a meaningful proposal, referencing items beyond telework policies, such as compensation. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meaningful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meaningful
  1. suggestive
  2. important
  3. eloquent
  4. significant
  5. expressive
  6. major
  7. revealing
  8. historic
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
  • While a push east for Marib would get the Houthis the most resources, a southern push appears to be more strategically important for the time being.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • The preschoolers who had a tough time delaying gratification— who ate the first marshmallow—were less academically and socially skilled, eloquent, attentive, and not as good at managing frustration in adolescence.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Fittingly, this is a very American intersection of wealth and power, the exact kind of problem about which James Baldwin was always so eloquent and incisive.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of eloquent
Adjective
  • Its compact design puts significant emphasis on accurate pointing without adding substantial mass.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the hype, China’s AI sector faces some significant constraints on its growth.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • For Lauper, nothing was off-limits for expressive modification, including her mane of colorful hair and artfully experimental makeup.
    — Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Hathaway is arch and expressive, doing subtle things with her eyes and voice that no one else can.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of expressive
Adjective
  • Wildfires encroached on major European cities, a once unthinkable threat.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The letters to Hamilton are among the most revealing parts of the archive.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Jackson suffered a groin injury in the first quarter and didn’t return — a pretty revealing fact considering Jackson has been among the most durable players in the NFL the past two seasons.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of revealing
Adjective
  • The series follows the Canadian team’s historic run to the World Cup final, where they were ultimately toppled by host country England, going down 33-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham Stadium in South West London.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • America was shoddy caulk oozing from a vinyl arc in a historic heatwave.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of historic

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meaning
meaningful
meaningfully
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Cite this Entry

“Meaningful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meaningful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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