substantive

Concerning what something actually says or means, rather than how it is presented.

• She suggested substantive changes.
• The editor made substantive revisions to the argument.
• We discussed substantive questions about the policy.

Similar words: content-related

Common phrases: substantive editing, substantive changes, substantive discussion

Related to the most important part of something.

• We still need substantive information.
• The report identifies the substantive issues.
• Trust is a substantive element of their agreement.

Similar words: essential, fundamental

Opposites: peripheral

Common phrases: substantive information, substantive element, substantive issue

Having real strength, importance, or lasting value.

• We made substantive progress.
• Their claims lack substantive evidence.
• The talks produced no substantive results.

Similar words: substantial, solid

Opposites: insubstantial

Common phrases: substantive progress, substantive evidence, substantive achievement

Able to exist on its own without depending on something else.

• The author describes a substantive entity.
• Does this idea have substantive existence?
• The philosopher treats the mind as substantive.

Similar words: independent, self-sufficient

Opposites: dependent

Common phrases: substantive existence, substantive entity, substantive being

A part of a text, such as a word or its position, that affects its meaning.

• The editor changed a substantive.
• These substantives affect the meaning of the passage.
• The comparison separates substantives from differences in spelling.

Common phrases: textual substantive, substantive variant, change a substantive