substantively
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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
Etymology
Origin of substantively
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.
In a written submission, he said not disclosing the names at this stage was a "time-limited decision" until "proceedings commence substantively" in the UK.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
And it was a smashing success, not only politically, but substantively as well.
From Salon ● May 14, 2026
“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
This primary is pitting at least two millennial candidates against each other—Crockett is 44 and Talarico 36—but they are both stylistically, substantively, and strategically very different.
From Slate ● Dec. 10, 2025
Commonly used substantively; as, the accused, one charged with an offense; the defendant in a criminal case.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster
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.
