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.

Parts of eastern Scotland also entered "significant water scarcity", according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

From BBC

After a short-term recovery in prices, the potential for significant upsides are likely to be limited, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sun’s defense team argued that it was her job to cultivate relationships with Chinese diplomats and others in the community, reflecting New York City’s 600,000-strong ethnic-Chinese population as a significant voting bloc.

From The Wall Street Journal

As CBS reported, “Many of the documents contained significant redactions, including whole pages of records that were blacked out.”

From Salon

It is hard to imagine U.S. consumers actually wanting balanced trade; it would only come about through significant reductions in already tightening consumer spending or a softening of foreign demand for U.S. assets.

From Barron's

significant

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words