significance

noun

sig-ˈni-fi-kən(t)s How to pronounce significance (audio)
Definition of significancenext
1
as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action the significance of that word is much debated by biblical scholars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in importance
the quality or state of being important the political significance of the special commission's report

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun significance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence, importance, moment, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

When is consequence a more appropriate choice than significance?

The words consequence and significance can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

In what contexts can importance take the place of significance?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When would moment be a good substitute for significance?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would weight be a reasonable alternative to significance?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

Examples 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 significance The potential impact of banning transgender athletes For transgender student athletes, the significance of having access to team sports goes beyond fairness. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 Rodrigo’s arrival has a wide significance for the brand. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024 What would be the significance of such pardons, on this scale? —Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Nov. 2024 Given Pennsylvania's significance as a swing state, the outcome of these challenges could influence the final vote count. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for significance 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance
  1. meaning
  2. importance
  3. sense
  4. import
  5. content
  6. magnitude
  7. intent
  8. consequence
Noun
  • Authors have built their own galaxies of exalted cultural meaning out of the Publishers Marketplace deal-announcement screengrab—perhaps even more now, in an environment where anyone can self-publish independently.
    Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Still, the game holds special meaning because of the longtime rivalry between the programs, their current success and the Stadium’s football lore.
    Tim Casey, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • However, their importance declined measurably in the last half of the 20th century.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
  • The message that ran throughout the show was of the importance of the moment.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of importance
Noun
  • Instead, in this example, refinancing down to a 20-year loan could make more sense.
    Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Hals, too, painted the faces of a new secular élite that sought to flatter itself with the permanence of oil painting; Hals, too, caught the abundance as well as the wobbling precarity of his clients’ world, the sense that all this could tumble down tomorrow.
    Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of sense
Noun
  • On the campaign trail, Trump proposed raising duties on imports from China by as much as 50%, while adding duties of 10% to 20% against products from the rest of the world.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Musk and Tesla also stand to gain hugely from Biden policies that Trump will likely leave in place or strengthen - like steep trade barriers blocking imports of Chinese EVs, including a 100% tariff.
    Jarrett Renshaw, Detroit Free Press, 15 Nov. 2024
Definition of import
Noun
  • In a recent report, the ADL’s Center on Extremism (COE) claims to have identified 1.5 million unique users and over 73,000 groups who used at least one piece of potentially extremist or hateful content.
    Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 17 Nov. 2024
  • This content was summarized by generative artificial intelligence using public filings retrieved from SEC.gov.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Definition of content
Noun
  • This follows a powerful geomagnetic storm in May — the first to reach a G4 magnitude since 2005 — which made the aurora visible across all of the contiguous United States, extending as far south as Central Texas.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The uncertainty of the magnitude of tit-for-tat tariffs adds further uncertainty to the global economic outlook.
    London Business School, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of magnitude
Noun
  • The intent is to restrict Russia’s access to the international financial system and limit the flow of funds to Russia’s war machine.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Sibal called the situation unusual and said the intent was to protect the puppies from contracting diseases.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of intent
Noun
  • Many fear the solution more than the consequences of not acting.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Because, of course, these content creators are undoubtedly well-versed in the consequences of influencing in the wild.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
Definition of consequence

Thesaurus Entries Near significance

signed (up or on)

significance

significances

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Significance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/significance. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on significance

Nglish: Translation of significance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of significance for Arabic Speakers

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