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

The front office chose to protect future cap space and draft capital rather than substantively improve the team now around Doncic and LeBron James.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 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

"The key issue here is that Meta and other social media companies aren't substantively addressing the harm we know teens are experiencing," Béjar told the BBC.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2025

"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

An Adjective of the second declension used substantively may be employed as a Genitive of the Whole; as, nihil bonī, nothing good. b.

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