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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.

Natalie also claimed many people living in the area were not given a "meaningful opportunity" to understand or comment on the plans before they were implemented.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

There was no feasible way back then to keep track of the value of anyone’s assets or net worth in any meaningful real-time way.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Israel knew she wasn’t done working, but she wanted to find meaningful work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

It seemed meaningful to him, so I gave it a shot.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

I tried to focus on the projects I found most meaningful, including my efforts to recruit a new and more diverse crop of summer associates.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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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