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Definition of "substantive" []

  • Substantial; considerable. (adjective)
  • Independent in existence or function; not subordinate. (adjective)
  • Not imaginary; actual; real. (adjective)
  • Of or relating to the essence or substance; essential: substantive information. (adjective)
  • Having a solid basis; firm. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "substantive" in a sentence
  • "MR. BELL: Well, we have informed the Congress that the part one agreement already rose to the threshold, if you will, of representing a change to the treaty -- what we call a substantive modification -- and therefore, would require congressional approval."
  • "The purpose of their strategy is to have Dems be so preoccupied with debunking obvious falsehood that they will have little or no time engaging in substantive debates about the real issues – and it's working."
  • "It's stories like these that renew my faith in substantive journalism."