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Definitions

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.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted last summer, is expected to provide a meaningful fiscal tailwind into 2026,” said Jason Pride and Michael Reynolds of Glenmede.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Ultimately, laws exist not only to protect freedom, but to preserve the conditions that make freedom meaningful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

That could translate into a meaningful economic slowdown later in the year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“We’re so proud to partner with LACMA, a meaningful milestone as our first museum collaboration,” said Tony Antoci, CEO and owner of Erewhon, and Josephine Antoci, president and owner of Erewhon in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Not love at first sight, but love at first meaningful conversation.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Vocabulary lists containing meaningful

Power Suffix: -ful

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Very Necessary: Synonyms for "Important"

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-ful

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