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substantially

/ˈsʌbˌstæntʃəli/
/səbˈstæntʃəli/
IPA guide

Substantially means "to a great extent." Your college fund was substantially increased by your grandfather's generous gift. What the heck, I'll throw in a quarter, too.

Substantially is a good word to know any time you want to establish something's extent. It basically suggests "a large part." Your raise made your life substantially easier. The word also suggests an essential nature, as in "Nothing was substantially changed by the new law." The word carries a great deal of weight, as can be seen in this quote by Albert Einstein: "We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive."

Definitions of substantially
  1. adverb
    to a great extent or degree
    “the price went up substantially
    synonyms: considerably, well
  2. adverb
    in a strong substantial way
    “the house was substantially built”
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘substantially'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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