substantially
- 1In essence; in nearly all important respects, even when minor details differ.
Her account of the meeting was substantially correct, though a few dates were off.
The new policy is substantially the same as the old one, with only the deadlines changed.
Similaressentially, basically, largely, fundamentally, mostly
- 2To a considerable degree; by a large and noticeable amount.
Enrollment grew substantially after the school waived its fees.
The medication substantially eased her chronic pain within a week.
Similarconsiderably, significantly, greatly, markedly, appreciably
Oppositeslightly, marginally
Note
The measuring sense, at home beside verbs of change: David Leonhardt wrote in 2012 that median family income had fallen substantially over an entire decade. Here the adverb answers "how much?" and sits naturally with grow, rise, fall and reduce. Keep it apart from the "in essence" meaning, which answers "how nearly?" Substantially lower names a quantity; substantially the same is a judgment of likeness.
- 3In a way that carries no significant qualifications or limiting conditions.
The judge approved the settlement substantially in the form the parties submitted, adding no conditions of her own.
The Senate passed the bill substantially as the House had written it, attaching no new conditions.
Similaressentially, largely
Practice
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Origin
Formed from "substantial" combined with the suffix "-ly."