substantively

[suhb-stuhn-tiv-lee]

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonsubstantively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of substantively¹

substantive + -ly

Example Sentences

Officials from The Terraces have disputed many of the state investigators’ findings, both substantively and procedurally.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"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.

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“In my mind, this is at least in part politically motivated rather than substantively motivated.”

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Even with the victims and their families becoming more visible, new revelations or information are what drive news cycles and substantively move public opinion.

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In other words, what our body politic is facing today is not substantively new; it’s only perceptually new to those who’ve never before been subject to the whims of a place like Tallahassee.

Read more on Salon