SIGNIFICANCE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

significance

noun

sig-ˈni-fi-kən(t)s

Definition of significance next

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

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

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 significance Whether those nodes sit close together or are scattered throughout space has no significance. —

Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2026 But the stars have special significance for Californios, which is somehow the first Mexican restaurant ever in the world to receive a three-star rating. —

Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026 Instead, the couple chose a school steeped in both royal history and personal significance. —

Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 How much significance can an off-the-rack coral maternity dress hold? —

Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for significance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance

Noun

The younger Russert traded his role as an NBC News congressional correspondent in July 2016 for a decadelong quest to find deeper meaning in faraway destinations.

— Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Jupiter enters your 9th House of Travel and Learning, expanding horizons and refreshing your sense of meaning.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026

Definition of meaning

Noun

Kerigan Coates, who's studying neuroscience at the University of San Diego, received a scholarship and the inspiration to keep educating people about the importance of mental health.

— Sharon Chin, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Just days after Bode's arrest, Morgan reshared two Instagram Stories from midwife Lindsey Meeheis, reminding parents about the importance of water safety to mark the 8th anniversary of Emeline's death.

— Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Definition of importance

Noun

Against that backdrop, some say the ships are offering a surprising sense of connection.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of sense

Noun

Local deployment of renewables in Asian countries could have a resounding effect on import/export payments by reducing the enormous costs of importing oil and gas.

— Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Trade import data showed the goods are being or are likely to be imported into the United States, the agency added.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

Definition of import

Noun

As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
The move reverses Roberts’ purchase of NBCUniversal in 2011 — a bold bet that created a behemoth with popular programming and cable pipes to pump that content into consumer homes.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of content

Noun

Earthquakes are measured by magnitude on a logarithmic scale — so each whole number increase translates to 32 times more energy released by the quake.

— Osmary Hernández, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
On the San Andreas Fault, scientists expect on average a large earthquake of magnitude 7 or above every 170 years or so, with the timing varying along the fault.

— Sylvain Barbot, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

Definition of magnitude

Noun

Kelly and Watts say the intent was never to rewrite the narrative or portray anyone in an unfair light.

— Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
Manfred said the purpose of the rule is to prevent players from becoming messengers for political or social issues while in uniform, because many messages can offend some portion of the fan base, even if that is not the player’s intent.

— Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

Definition of intent

Noun

Her approach is shaped by years spent in active production environments, where decisions often carry consequences, and projects demand a balance between creative ambition and practical reality.

— Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 June 2026
But many politicians on the right argued that the attacks were solely the consequence of Albanese’s failure to take antisemitism on Australian soil seriously.

— Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026