IMPORTANCE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'importance' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of importance are consequence , moment , significance , and weight . While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone. // a region with no cities of importance

Q: When can 'consequence' be used instead of 'importance'?

The words consequence and importance 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

Q: In what contexts can 'moment' take the place of 'importance'?

The words moment and importance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. // a decision of great moment

Q: When would 'significance' be a good substitute for 'importance'?

While the synonyms significance and importance are close in meaning, 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

Q: When is 'weight' a more appropriate choice than 'importance'?

The synonyms weight and importance are sometimes interchangeable, but weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. // the argument carried no weight with the judge

importance

noun

im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s

Definition of importance

as in significance

the quality or state of being important a final exam has great importance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun importance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of importance are consequence, moment, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When can consequence be used instead of importance?

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

The words moment and importance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When would significance be a good substitute for importance?

While the synonyms significance and importance are close in meaning, 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 weight a more appropriate choice than importance?

The synonyms weight and importance are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 importance Racing to give back With breast cancer affecting both her mother and aunt, Robinson knew the importance of regular screenings. — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Above all, Robinson emphasized the importance of preserving shipwrecks as pieces of history. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Local officials emphasized the importance of being ready to evacuate if a fire does grow closer to your home. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Burns stops by the Festival to discuss his work with Michael Luo, an executive editor at the magazine, and the importance of chronicling history at a time when more and more is being written over and erased. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for importance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance

Noun

Bears Ears is a living cultural landscape and sacred ancestral homeland of deep significance to Tribal Nations.

— Mary Beth Laughton, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Hassen discussed the significance of Type V composite pressure vessels, and their potential.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of significance

Noun

Earlier this year, China's exports and imports each grew at their fastest pace in five years.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Malawi, which has among the highest fuel pump prices in Africa at more than $3 a liter, highlights the impact of a $100-plus per barrel crude price on import-dependent economies with thin buffers.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of import

Noun

While the conviction will remain part of the historical record, the pardon removes any lasting consequence for him.

— Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
The choice can have big financial consequences for households, which, with a few exceptions, are generally locked into their insurance plan for a year before being able to switch.

— Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of consequence

Noun

The statistical side then won the engineering war, but the five-orders-of-magnitude bill served as a reminder.

— Charles Yeomans, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
And Republican political operatives and independent election observers CNBC spoke with say the money hasn't had the effects its magnitude would be expected to in voter sentiment.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of magnitude

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“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of importance

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