significant

adjective

sig-ˈni-fi-kənt How to pronounce significant (audio)
Definition of significantnext
1
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect made a significant change in the procedure for applying for citizenship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indicative
indicating something the town's generous library budget is significant of the value its residents place on learning

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3
as in influential
having great power or influence a producer who is playing a significant role in the creation of the new film

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention paid a significant amount of money for the movie rights to the book

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in suggestive
clearly conveying a special meaning (as one's mood) after remarking that tardiness was on the rise, our boss cast a significant glance my way

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of significant Securing those additions, though, is secondary to the more pressing need to build and develop a strong starting XI, an area in which Carrick has made significant progress. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 And the rank-and-file, which contains a significant number of millionaires, are not afraid to employ the language of class struggle. — Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026 While the story goes into some dark places, humor plays a significant role. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 While experts say there were ultimately no significant health implications, the release shifted Americans' attitudes toward nuclear energy. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for significant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significant
  1. major
  2. indicative
  3. influential
  4. considerable
  5. suggestive
  6. important
  7. reflective
  8. powerful
Adjective
  • The cushion cut cocktail rings give major Taylor energy, which is why they're beloved by Swifties and beyond.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Speraw highlights women's volleyball as America's largest girls' team sport, yet commercially underdeveloped, presenting a huge opportunity for growth and major sponsorship.
    — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Why Willis did it, however, is very indicative of his overall growth into the franchise quarterback.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Challenger disaster By 1986 the Apollo program had been replaced by the space shuttle, a name indicative of how almost-routine space travel had become.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicative
Adjective
  • Yet, with Morgan Gibbs-White often Forest’s most influential player in the No 10 role, McAtee was limited to a bit-part role last season.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The 78-year-old Larson was poised to be influential inside a potential Democratic majority and has led the party on efforts to expand Social Security benefits and fortify the program into the future.
    — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • The proposal has drawn considerable concern from residents, especially regarding traffic.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Villa go in as considerable underdogs — 7/2 to win in normal time and 2/1 to lift the trophy — and pulling it off would represent another big result in what has already been a landmark year for the club.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of considerable
Adjective
  • The silly yellow fruit that became a part of their culture was freighted, from the start, with suggestive meaning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The screenplay by Rasmus Birch and Kalle makes useful changes on that template, replacing crudely literal-minded aspects with more suggestive ones, paring dialogue to make room for effective visual storytelling.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • That’s important for Cyprus because under an existing agreement, Cypriot energy consumers would have to put up as much as 63% of the cable’s construction cost, meaning a significant jump in electricity prices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • As artificial intelligence revolutionizes how tasks are completed, many people are pleading their cases for why their jobs are important.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • According to the announcement, the semi-acoustic record draws inspiration from reflective touchstones in Young’s catalog such as Comes a Time and Prairie Wind, with lyrics that grapple with memory, mortality and renewal.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Caltrans has been slowly removing those 1960s-era signs with the letter studded with reflective dots and replacing them with newer ones.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • The two progressive, politically powerful unions helped carry Mayor Brandon Johnson into office.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Gratitude is the most powerful and enduring sentiment of all — not because everything’s fine.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of powerful

Phrases Containing significant

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significances
significant
significantly
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Cite this Entry

“Significant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significant. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of significant for Spanish Speakers

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