A good significant synonym has to match one of three jobs the word does: considerable and substantial describe size, notable and major describe importance, and telling describes a look or remark that hints at more. Pick the job first and the right word usually follows.
This page gives another word for significant in each of those senses, a scale from noticeable to momentous, rewritten sample sentences, and a warning for anyone writing up research results. For the closest cousin, see the important synonyms page.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
considerable, notable, major, substantial, meaningfulPart of speech
Adjective (adverb form: significantly)Most formal
consequential, appreciableMost casual
big, real, seriousStrongest
momentous, historicAntonyms
insignificant, minor, negligibleWatch out
In statistics, significant has a technical meaning. Do not swap it there.
Each significant synonym, matched to its sense
Most writers reach for significant when they mean one of three things. The table shows which replacements belong to which meaning.
| Meaning | Swap in | Sample line |
|---|---|---|
| A large amount | considerable, substantial, sizable, marked | Repairs took a considerable sum. |
| Important | notable, major, noteworthy, weighty | Her thesis made a notable claim. |
| Has lasting effects | consequential, far-reaching, momentous, historic | The vote was a momentous step. |
| Hints at something | telling, knowing, pointed, revealing | He gave her a knowing glance. |
From noticeable to momentous
Our five colored chips climb one step at a time. Noticeable means you can see the change, nothing more. Notable means people should pay attention to it. Considerable stresses quantity, so it pairs well with money, time and effort. Major marks something as one of the biggest items on the list. Momentous is for turning points that people remember for years.
A quick test: if the effect could fit on a sticky note, stay at the mild end. Save momentous for weddings, elections and discoveries.
Rewriting sentences with a better word
- A significant amount of rain fell becomes a substantial amount of rain fell.
- She made a significant contribution becomes she made a major contribution.
- Sales showed a significant rise becomes sales showed a marked rise.
- It was a significant day for the town becomes it was a historic day for the town.
- There was a significant pause before he answered becomes there was a telling pause before he answered.
- The policy had significant effects becomes the policy had far-reaching effects.
A project update reads: "We saw significant savings and significant delays." Two different words make it sharper: "We saw considerable savings but noticeable delays." Now the reader can tell which change was bigger.
A caution for lab reports and research papers
When a study says a result is significant, it usually means statistically significant: the result is unlikely to be due to chance. That is a test outcome, not a judgment about size. A tiny effect can be statistically significant, and a large one can fail the test.
So in methods and results sections, keep the original word. If you also want to say the effect was big, add a second word: "The difference was significant and substantial." Readers who know statistics will thank you. Other terms with technical traps like this one appear in our academic vocabulary guide.
Which choice suits the setting
Essays: notable, considerable and consequential sound careful and precise. Use profound for effects on thinking or feeling.
Business writing: substantial and sizable work for budgets and growth. Major suits projects, clients and risks.
Cover letters: back the word with a figure. "Cut costs by a sizable margin" is weaker than "cut costs by a fifth."
Speech: people say big, real or serious. "That is a big change" sounds friendlier than "that is a consequential change."
Near misses to avoid
Considerate is not considerable. Considerate means kind and thoughtful. Signified is a verb meaning showed, not a synonym of the adjective. Meaningful works for experiences and talks, but sounds odd for numbers: a meaningful increase is fine, a meaningful ton of steel is not. Famous describes how well known something is, which may have nothing to do with how much it matters.
Also watch very significant. Major or substantial usually does the work in one word.
Antonyms and the adverb form
The opposites run from neutral to dismissive. Minor and slight are calm. Negligible and marginal sound technical. Trivial can suggest the reader was foolish to care.
- The error had a negligible effect on the total.
- Only slight damage was found.
For the adverb, the significantly synonyms page lists considerably, markedly and substantially. To describe what a change did, try the impact synonyms.
Frequently asked questions
Which word best replaces significant?
It depends on the sense. Considerable or substantial fits amounts, notable or major fits importance, and telling fits a look or a pause.
What is another word for significant in an essay?
Notable, consequential and noteworthy keep a measured tone. If the effect changed how people think, profound is a strong option.
Is significant the same as important?
Close, but not identical. Significant often hints at size or measurable effect, while important is about value. A significant drop in prices may or may not be important to you.
Can I replace statistically significant with another word?
No. It is a fixed term from statistics with a precise meaning. Keep it as written and add a separate word if you want to describe size.
Which words go beyond significant in strength?
Momentous, historic and far-reaching are stronger. They suggest the effect will last a long time or change the course of events.
What is the opposite of significant?
Insignificant is the direct antonym. Minor, slight, negligible and trivial are common alternatives, ranked from gentle to dismissive.