substance

noun

ˈsəb-stən(t)s How to pronounce substance (audio)
Definition of substancenext
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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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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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 substance One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Ken Kesey or Hunter Thompson, none of that stuff happens without the substances. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 To add to the dire situation, up to 80% of large parts of the city’s groundwater is contaminated, both by sewage and by naturally occurring substances such as arsenic. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 The Department of Toxic Substances Control is tasked with enforcing laws and regulations governing hazardous waste and hazardous substances, according to the agency’s website. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 For the first time, the substance of every conversation is now measurable. — Malte Kosub, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for substance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for substance
  1. potential
  2. essence
  3. wealth
  4. object
  5. material
  6. nature
  7. assets
  8. entity
Noun
  • Unsurprisingly, Altman, 41, is a true believer in the society-changing potential of AI.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Remember the thought that new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel would unlock all the potential of Herbert?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of potential
Noun
  • The bones, essence, and layering of that apartment form a mini masterclass in design.
    — Kelly Allen, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the morning, reach for your cleanser or simply rinse the skin with water, then proceed with a hydrating serum or essence (if desired), moisturizer, and SPF.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • The confidence gap in philanthropy mirrors a broader anxiety wealth advisors have noticed about whether heirs are ready for any of it.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Monica Heslington, head of the Goldman Sachs family office art and collectibles strategy practice, said the guide is designed for the bank’s private wealth clients.
    — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of wealth
Noun
  • Building conventional simulations for robot testing can be time-consuming and costly, Taiuti said, requiring developers to create three-dimensional objects and configure scenes.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
  • To assist Noah, Sinestro has also forged a new lantern from the water on this dead alien planet — imbued with Zoe’s fear toxins — causing golden cracks in the object’s surface.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of object
Noun
  • Sube Shoten, a tofu maker founded in 1877 during Japan’s Meiji era, reportedly ceased operations in May and began preparing to file for bankruptcy as low profit margins and a recent surge in raw-material costs clouded its business outlook.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • It should be made from natural, heavy and durable materials -- much like the wood used by Goh -- and, when affordable, from the finest timber.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of material
Noun
  • Passengers will enjoy the amenities and seamless nature of private jet travel at a fraction of the cost.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The characters discuss the addictive nature of dark magic multiple times.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • The new ParaBros is inheriting several lucrative IP assets from the Burbank lot shepherded by De Luca and Abdy — Ocean’s Eleven, Gremlins, Gladys, Minecraft 2 and more going forward, 38 features overall, dated into 2029.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Inequality began accelerating again in the late seventies, and the amount of assets in the hands of the top one per cent increased dramatically.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of assets
Noun
  • Enetec was sanctioned in July under a presidential executive order authorizing sanctions to Cuban entities posing a direct threat to national security or involved in repression.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Private equity firms also sometimes own both physician staffing firms and Independent Dispute Resolution entities, creating a conflict of interest and undermining the law's fairness.
    — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of entity

Phrases Containing substance

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subspecieses
substance
substances
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Cite this Entry

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

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