importance

noun

im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s How to pronounce importance (audio)
Definition of importancenext
as in significance
the quality or state of being important a final exam has great importance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun importance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of importance are consequence, moment, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When can consequence be used instead of importance?

The words consequence and importance can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

In what contexts can moment take the place of importance?

The words moment and importance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When would significance be a good substitute for importance?

While the synonyms significance and importance are close in meaning, significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

When is weight a more appropriate choice than importance?

The synonyms weight and importance are sometimes interchangeable, but weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of importance Clea told Muir about the importance of the camp for children with disabilities. —David Muir, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025 In particular, holes 10, 11 and 13 are of strategic importance to all players because of the scores that have historically been achieved on each of them. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Trump Doubles Down on Trade War, Threatening China With More Tariffs Rare earth’s importance The importance of rare earths has only increased over the years, due to the world’s reliance on ever-powerful computers and its search for cleaner energy. —Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Apr. 2025 The course ranks third on the PGA Tour for the importance of strokes gained from tee to green. —Dennis Esser, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
  1. significance
  2. import
  3. consequence
  4. magnitude
Noun
  • The significance of that difference lies in the potential interest savings to the government.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • One major concern is that sibling gifts can unintentionally shift the focus away from the birthday child, diluting the significance of their special day, says Wijesekera.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of significance
Noun
  • This response comes after the U.S. imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU in March.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Trump announced a 90-day pause on countries that have not retaliated, temporarily lowering the high tariffs on nearly all trading partners to a baseline 10%, while raising the tax rate on imports from China, which had retaliated with tit-for-tat hikes on U.S. imports, to 125%.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of import
Noun
  • External forces may have torn them apart as the two witches grapple with the consequences of their choices.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Pegged to each recent IOC session has been a decision of major consequence for the Olympic movement.
    — Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of consequence
Noun
  • The fire department in Naypyidaw said the woman was successfully pulled from the rubble 91 hours after being buried when the building collapsed in the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that hit midday Friday.
    — David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Given the magnitude of the cuts, this seems unlikely. HHS reaches into the lives of all Americans.
    — Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of magnitude

Browse Nearby Words

import
importance
important
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on importance

Nglish: Translation of importance for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All