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Definitions

significant

[sig-nif-i-kuhnt] / sɪgˈnɪf ɪ kənt /
ADJECTIVE
telling, meaningful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compelling important momentous powerful serious symbolic
WEAK
cogent convincing denoting eloquent expressing expressive facund forceful heavy indicative knowing meaning pregnant representative rich sententious sound suggestive valid weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
insignificant trivial unimportant
WEAK
meaningless minor
ADJECTIVE
important, critical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
big consequential considerable meaningful momentous notable noteworthy serious substantial vital
WEAK
big-deal big-wheel carrying a lot of weight heavy material weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull inconsequential insignificant little minor ordinary small trivial unimportant unnoticeable
WEAK
meaningless

Usage

What are other ways to say significant? The adjectives significant and meaningful, when describing forms of expression, imply an underlying and unexpressed thought whose existence is plainly shown although its precise nature is left to conjecture. Significant suggests conveying important or hidden meaning: On hearing this statement, he gave the officers a significant glance. Meaningful implies a secret and intimate understanding between the persons involved: Meaningful looks passed between them. 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 trend was driven in part by several private-asset firms, including Apollo Global Management and KKR, which acquired insurance companies and moved significant amounts of private debt onto their balance sheets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Wholesale prices for some fruits and vegetables have already risen sharply, and industry figures have reported significant increases for certain items in recent weeks.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

It has warned of "real significant life-death problems" with supplies for emergency service vehicles, while Ireland's emergency planning group echoed the comments with "serious concern" about the situation.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

It has proposed that the MSG producer increase ABF pricing by over 30%, noting that it trades significant valuation discount to its ABF substrate customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

So suppose the United States wanted to reduce enemy forces by 20 percent—a significant figure, though hardly enough to break their will.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin