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Showing results for significant.
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 company said Thursday it entered into the agreement with holders who represent a significant majority of its outstanding funded debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The Valley neighborhood got significant attention in January when Oz posted a video from a complex in Van Nuys where a onetime hospice operated.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The Rwanda trip, Mr. Attenborough says, wasn’t supposed to be about gorillas at all, but rather the opposable thumb, one of the significant characteristics we share with the great apes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"If we don't do it, no one will. It's a shame they stopped. It seemed like there were significant achievements this time."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Another surprise was that Hope Springs, on first inspection, didn’t have any sign, statue, or other significant marker dedicated to Arletta Paisley.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Vocabulary lists containing significant

Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 1

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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6

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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 4

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