Definitions

in substance

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basically adv.
nearly adv.
substantially adv.
virtually adv.

ADVERB

basically

Synonyms

STRONGEST

essentially mostly

WEAK

at heart at the bottom firstly in essence inherently intrinsically primarily radically

Antonyms

WEAK

additionally extra inessentially

ADVERB

nearly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

approximately practically roughly virtually

STRONG

about closely most well-nigh

WEAK

all but approaching as good as circa close but no cigar give or take a little in effect in essence in the ballpark in the neighborhood just about more or less much nearabout not quite pretty near round roundly some somewhere upwards of within a little

ADVERB

substantially

Synonyms

STRONGEST

considerably essentially extensively heavily largely materially really

WEAK

in essence in fact in reality in the main mainly much

Antonyms

STRONGEST

slightly

WEAK

insignificantly

ADVERB

virtually

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically essentially nearly practically

WEAK

around as good as effectually for all intents and purposes fundamentally give or take a little guesstimate implicitly in all but name in effect in essence in the ballpark in the neighborhood morally not absolutely not actually something like upwards of

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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in substance

“None of the cited statements by either the president or the secretary was overtly racial, and in substance all expressed policy views that could rest on race-neutral justifications,” Alito wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

Totally lacking in substance, with a gratuitous dance break – what's not to like?

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

After a 2025 marked by sweeping turnover among creative directors and numerous debuts, this Fall/Winter 2026 edition was more measured, in substance as well as in style.

From Barron's ● Jan. 25, 2026

“The Court finds the Special Counsel’s pro forma ‘conferral’ to be wholly lacking in substance and professional courtesy,” Cannon wrote.

From Slate ● May 28, 2024

Sir David Cardinal spoke next, and though I missed much of his speech, it seemed to be more technical in substance, and quite frankly, rather above my head.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

in substance

Example Sentences

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