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

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Etymology

Origin of substantively

substantive + -ly

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

substantively

“That is a huge thing that whoever we nominate has to be thinking about: quick delivery, quick change that people can substantively feel in their lives,” Flaherty said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

In fact he refers substantively to the czars in more than 3,000 addresses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

And it was a smashing success, not only politically, but substantively as well.

From Salon ● May 14, 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

Finally, the Open Publication License includes a number of options, which, if selected by the author, can limit the creation of "substantively modified" versions or book-form derivatives without prior author approval.

From Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software by Sam Williams

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