substantively

American  

[suhb-stuhn-tiv-lee] / ˈsʌb stən tɪv li /

adverb

1. in a way that has to do with the meaning, subject matter, or essential nature of something.

   These guidelines and the current accessibility standards for transportation vehicles are substantively the same.

   I'm not qualified to substantively evaluate the scholar’s argument.

2. to a large degree; significantly.

   This is a small difference, though, and not substantively meaningful.

   While constrained by congressional statutes, federal agencies can substantively shape the policies within their jurisdiction.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubstantively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of substantively

substantive + -ly

Example Sentences

“President Trump has a great relationship with President Xi, and the upcoming summit in Beijing will be both symbolically and substantively significant,” said Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

"It is disappointing that the British government continues to show no willingness to substantively consider this issue and has failed to take the decisive action needed to provide meaningful support to the hospitality sector here."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

"The governments of Australia and Indonesia have just substantively concluded negotiations on a new bilateral treaty on our common security," Albanese told journalists alongside Prabowo.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

When it became clear NASA’s funding for JPL would not substantively change in 2025, the lab laid off an additional 325 employees.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2025

The Genitives meī, tuī, suī, nostrī, vestrī, when used in the Gerundive Construction, are regularly employed without reference to Gender or Number, since they were originally Neuter Singular Adjectives used substantively.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)