meaningful

[mee-ning-fuhl] / ˈmi nɪŋ fəl /

ADJECTIVE

significant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

consequential essential important purposeful relevant serious substantial useful valid worthwhile

WEAK

allusive big clear concise considerable deep eloquent exact explicit expressive heavy indicative intelligible material momentous pointed pregnant sententious succinct suggestive weighty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

insignificant little minor nonessential small trivial unimportant unsubstantial worthless

WEAK

meaningless useless

Usage

What are other ways to say meaningful? When describing forms of expression, the adjectives meaningful and significant imply an underlying and unexpressed thought whose existence is plainly shown although its precise nature is left to conjecture. Meaningful implies a secret and intimate understanding between the persons involved: Meaningful looks passed between them. Significant suggests conveying important or hidden meaning: On hearing this statement, he gave the officers a significant glance. Expressive suggests conveying, or being capable of conveying, a thought, intention, emotion, etc., in an effective or vivid manner: an expressive gesture. Suggestive implies an indirect or covert conveying of a meaning, sometimes mentally stimulating, sometimes verging on impropriety or indecency: a suggestive story or remark.

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.

If we want to have meaningful savings in federal spending, we will have to cut real things.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Nick Yeatman, the chief executive at Trovr, added: "We want to turn everyday actions into meaningful impact; the initiative at Weston Favell brings that to life in a simple, rewarding way."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

In a national randomized controlled trial, they found that a short-term, calorie-restricted eating plan led to meaningful improvements in both symptoms and biological markers in people with mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Never mind that children seldom have meaningful choice but to comply with caregivers’ demands and may be in therapy not to pursue their goals but due to external pressures.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Penelope gave a meaningful look to the twins, who were still in possession of the envelope.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

meaningful

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words