Synonym Chooser

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 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement emphasizing the importance of verifying contact information, including phone numbers and websites, before making any donations, warning that scam artists are using sophisticated methods to manipulate caller ID and other identifying details. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 Commissioner Brooklyn Pruitt shared Vaughn’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of having more than one youth commissioner from each district. Olivia Cyrus july 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025 One key goal of the exhibit is to help visitors connect to the importance of heat, shade and urban trees. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025 Powell, whose term as Fed chair ends on May 15, 2026, also sought to underline the importance of insulating central bankers from political pressure. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importance
Noun
  • For You The significance of the change in QSBS provisions goes beyond the founders, investors, and venture-capital firms involved in startups.
    Bruce Brumberg, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Brazilians considered the capital city, which replaced Rio de Janeiro, a symbol of the nation’s future significance on the world stage.
    Emi Eleode, Time, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The reciprocal tariffs target any and all imports from more than two dozen countries, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
    Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • The rebound in imports is likely due to a lower base for comparison, Huang added, while the trade truce restored some demand for U.S. goods, resulting in a smaller decline in imports from America.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Another potential consequence if the emergency regulations had expired would have been a 10% loss of catch for Massachusetts lobstermen who primarily fish in state and federal waters in the Gulf of Maine, known as Area 1.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • And when diapers run out, the consequences are immediate and compounding: Babies sit in dirty diapers, rashes turn into infections, day care turns kids away, and parents miss shifts and risk losing their jobs.
    Amy Kadens, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Built in 1971, the reservoir was expanded in 2015 and is strengthened to withstand a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, a local tourism website said.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Still, a measure of the high stakes came during the women’s final, when Anisimova was clearly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment, and Świątek defeated her, 6–0, 6–0, in under an hour.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importance. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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