in substance
Idioms-
In reality, essentially, as in The Archbishop of Salzburg was in substance a temporal authority as well . [Late 1300s]
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In essence, basically, as in I don't remember all the details, but in substance this was the plan . [Late 1400s]
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.
Totally lacking in substance, with a gratuitous dance break – what's not to like?
From BBC • May 8, 2026
“Not as just supported on paper, but that it’s supported in substance, too.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026
After a 2025 marked by sweeping turnover among creative directors and numerous debuts, this Fall/Winter 2026 edition was more measured, in substance as well as in style.
From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026
I wanted to privilege and respect the high school point of view, because so often, that point of view is undercut, and treated as "little" and lacking in substance.
From Salon • Sep. 22, 2023
The details vary, the dialogue is not identical, but in substance the two accounts—thus far, at least—corroborate one another.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
