Synonym Chooser

How does the noun significance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of significance are consequence, importance, moment, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," 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 consequence a more appropriate choice than significance?

The words consequence and significance 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 importance take the place of significance?

The words importance and significance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When would moment be a good substitute for significance?

The meanings of moment and significance largely overlap; however, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would weight be a reasonable alternative to significance?

In some situations, the words weight and significance are roughly equivalent. However, 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 significance De Los spoke to Nava about the enduring significance of his film, 30 years after the superstar’s death. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025 The exact provenance and significance of the memo are unclear. Dylan Matthews, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025 Pro Day and the significance of Ward potentially going 1-1 could mean for the Hurricanes. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025 The White House responded to the article by saying that the text thread appeared authentic, but sought to downplay the significance of an outsider being included in sensitive, high-level discussions without anyone realizing. Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for significance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for significance
Noun
  • As values and priorities shift, younger generations want more meaning, alignment, and employer support.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Which has a whole different meaning now in L.A., especially what Mandy and Milo personally experienced.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • His sharp sense of storytelling and visionary approach to content has consistently set him apart as a true leader.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That has always been part of the Trumpist package of maybe not ideas in the sense of grand philosophies but certainly cultural ideas.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Having a strong support system is also key to managing the competing demands of parenthood and content creation.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Late last year, IndieWire hosted college students from UC Berkeley at our Los Angeles offices for a presentation on the journalistic and educational content that their generation of film and TV professionals want to see.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • But community water fluoridation is done with the intent of optimizing fluoride concentration for the dental benefits.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While the intent might be to keep the peace, the result is often emotional pressure — where neither person feels fully safe to be their whole, honest self.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

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

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