If you are looking for a significantly synonym, the best alternative depends on what you mean by significantly.
Common choices include considerably, substantially, markedly, notably, considerably, greatly, meaningfully, importantly, materially, dramatically, and noticeably. However, these words are not interchangeable in every sentence.
Some emphasize size or degree, while others highlight importance, visibility, or a noticeable change. Choosing the right synonym can make your writing more precise, natural, and persuasive.
Quick Answer: What Is a Synonym for Significantly?
The most useful synonyms for significantly include:
- Considerably — to a large degree
- Substantially — by a large or important amount
- Markedly — in a clearly noticeable way
- Notably — in a way that deserves attention
- Greatly — to a considerable degree
- Materially — in a way that has practical or important consequences
- Meaningfully — in a way that produces real significance or value
- Dramatically — in a striking or substantial way
- Noticeably — in a way that can readily be observed
- Importantly — in a way that has particular significance
The safest general replacement is considerably when you mean “to a large degree.” Use notably when you mean “in a way worth noticing,” and substantially when referring to a large amount, improvement, reduction, or change.
What Does Significantly Mean?
Significantly is an adverb that generally means to a considerable degree, in an important way, or in a way that is clearly noticeable.
Its exact meaning depends on context.
For example:
The cost has increased significantly.
Here, significantly means by a considerable amount.
The decision significantly affected the company.
Here, it means in an important or consequential way.
The results were significantly different.
Here, it may mean clearly or measurably different, particularly in academic or scientific writing.
This range of meanings explains why simply replacing significantly with one synonym can sometimes make a sentence less accurate.
Significantly Synonym Hierarchy
A useful way to choose an alternative is to classify synonyms according to the kind of emphasis they provide.
| Synonym | Main Meaning | Formality | Strongest Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Considerably | By a large degree | Neutral | General writing |
| Substantially | By a large amount | Formal | Business, academic writing |
| Markedly | Clearly and noticeably | Formal | Reports and analysis |
| Notably | Worth noticing | Neutral-formal | Essays and professional writing |
| Greatly | To a large degree | Neutral | General and formal writing |
| Meaningfully | In a significant or valuable way | Neutral | Professional, social, analytical |
| Materially | With practical importance | Formal | Business, law, finance |
| Dramatically | In a striking way | Neutral | Change, contrast, trends |
| Noticeably | In an observable way | Neutral | Everyday writing |
| Importantly | In a particularly important way | Neutral-formal | Arguments and explanations |
| Remarkably | In an unusual or impressive way | Neutral-formal | Achievement and results |
| Substantively | In terms of real substance | Formal | Academic and professional contexts |
| Profoundly | Deeply or powerfully | Formal | Effects, emotions, ideas |
| Radically | In a fundamental way | Neutral-formal | Major transformation |
| Vastly | By a very large amount | Neutral | Scale and comparison |
The key distinction is simple:
Degree → considerably / greatly / substantially
Visibility → noticeably / markedly
Importance → importantly / materially / meaningfully
Striking change → dramatically / remarkably
Depth → profoundly
25+ Synonyms for Significantly
1. Considerably
Considerably means to a fairly large or substantial degree.
It is one of the closest general-purpose synonyms for significantly.
Tone: Neutral
Formality: Neutral to formal
Best contexts: Everyday, professional, academic writing
Common collocations:
- considerably higher
- considerably lower
- considerably more
- considerably less
- considerably improved
Example:
The new system is considerably faster than the previous version.
Use considerably when you want to emphasize magnitude without sounding dramatic.
2. Substantially
Substantially means by a large amount or to a significant degree.
It is especially effective when discussing measurable changes.
Tone: Objective
Formality: Formal
Best contexts: Business, academic, financial, professional writing
Common collocations:
- substantially increased
- substantially reduced
- substantially improved
- substantially higher
- substantially lower
Example:
The company substantially reduced its operating costs.
Considerably vs. Substantially
Both indicate a large degree, but substantially often sounds more objective and quantitative.
- Sales increased considerably. — general emphasis
- Sales increased substantially. — stronger analytical or measurable emphasis
3. Markedly
Markedly means in a clearly noticeable or pronounced way.
It emphasizes the visibility of a difference.
Tone: Analytical
Formality: Formal
Best contexts: Research, reports, academic writing
Example:
The patient’s condition improved markedly after treatment.
Use markedly when a change is not merely large but clearly distinguishable.
4. Notably
Notably means in a way that is particularly worthy of attention.
It does not necessarily mean “by a large amount.”
Tone: Observational
Formality: Neutral-formal
Best contexts: Essays, reports, journalism, professional writing
Example:
The second proposal was notably more practical.
Significantly vs. Notably
Significantly can emphasize degree or importance.
Notably emphasizes that something deserves attention.
Therefore:
The price increased significantly.
means the increase was substantial.
The price increased notably.
means the increase was particularly noticeable or worthy of mention.
5. Greatly
Greatly means to a large degree.
It is versatile and easy to understand.
Tone: Neutral
Formality: Neutral
Best contexts: General, professional, formal writing
Example:
Her confidence greatly improved after completing the training.
It works particularly well with verbs such as improve, increase, reduce, affect, influence, appreciate, and benefit.
6. Meaningfully
Meaningfully means in a way that has genuine significance, value, or practical effect.
Tone: Positive or thoughtful
Formality: Neutral-professional
Best contexts: Business, education, social issues, personal development
Example:
The program meaningfully improved access to education.
This word is useful when significantly sounds too vague and you want to emphasize real-world value.
7. Materially
Materially means in a way that has practical, important, or consequential effects.
It is common in legal, financial, corporate, and technical writing.
Example:
The policy materially affected the company’s financial position.
Important distinction: Materially does not simply mean “a lot.” It means that something has a relevant or consequential effect.
8. Dramatically
Dramatically means in a striking, sudden, or very noticeable way.
Example:
The number of visitors increased dramatically over the summer.
It is stronger and more emotionally vivid than considerably.
Use it carefully in academic writing because it can sound exaggerated when the evidence only shows a modest change.
9. Noticeably
Noticeably means in a way that can easily be observed.
Example:
The room became noticeably quieter after the announcement.
This synonym focuses on perception, rather than measurement.
10. Importantly
Importantly means in a way that is particularly relevant or significant.
Example:
Importantly, the new approach requires fewer resources.
It is useful when introducing a point that you want readers to consider especially relevant.
However, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Often, the sentence itself can show why the point matters.
11. Remarkably
Remarkably means in a surprising, unusual, or impressive way.
Example:
The small team performed remarkably well under pressure.
Unlike significantly, remarkably often adds a sense of surprise or admiration.
12. Profoundly
Profoundly means deeply or in a way that has a powerful and far-reaching effect.
Example:
Technology has profoundly changed the way people communicate.
It is particularly effective for ideas, emotions, social changes, and major effects.
13. Radically
Radically means in a fundamental or far-reaching way.
Example:
The organization radically changed its approach to customer service.
It implies a fundamental departure from what existed before.
14. Vastly
Vastly means by a very large degree or amount.
Example:
The two systems differ vastly in complexity.
It is stronger than ordinary alternatives such as considerably.
15. Substantively
Substantively means in terms of real substance, content, or meaningful change.
Example:
The revised proposal substantively addresses the concerns raised by the committee.
This is particularly useful in academic, legal, and professional contexts.
Significantly Synonyms by Context
The “best” synonym changes depending on the audience and purpose.
| Context | Best Choices |
|---|---|
| Everyday conversation | considerably, noticeably, greatly |
| Professional writing | substantially, considerably, notably |
| Academic writing | markedly, substantially, considerably |
| Scientific writing | markedly, substantially, materially |
| Business communication | substantially, materially, considerably |
| Financial writing | materially, substantially |
| Emotional expression | profoundly, greatly, deeply |
| Creative writing | dramatically, remarkably, profoundly |
| Literary English | profoundly, markedly, remarkably |
| Formal language | substantially, materially, markedly |
| Informal language | a lot, greatly, noticeably |
| Persuasive writing | importantly, meaningfully, substantially |
| Marketing copy | dramatically, significantly, remarkably |
| Customer service | noticeably, meaningfully, considerably |
| Leadership communication | substantially, meaningfully, materially |
| Education | meaningfully, considerably, substantially |
| Public speaking | notably, importantly, dramatically |
Significantly vs. Considerably
These are extremely close.
Significantly can mean:
- to an important degree
- by a noticeable amount
- to a considerable degree
Considerably focuses more specifically on degree or magnitude.
Compare:
The new policy significantly affected employees.
This can mean that the policy had an important effect.
The new policy considerably affected employees.
This sounds less natural in this context because considerably is more naturally associated with measurable degree.
Recommendation: Use considerably for “by a large amount” and significantly when both degree and importance may matter.
Significantly vs. Substantially
These words are often interchangeable when discussing measurable change.
Costs decreased significantly.
Costs decreased substantially.
Both are natural.
However, substantially tends to sound more objective and quantitative.
Choose substantially for:
- statistics
- financial figures
- measurable changes
- business reports
- research findings
Choose significantly when the sentence emphasizes either magnitude or importance.
Significantly vs. Markedly
Markedly emphasizes a clear and pronounced difference.
The two groups differed significantly.
This may have a technical or statistical meaning.
The two groups differed markedly.
This emphasizes how clearly different the groups were.
In scientific writing, do not automatically treat significantly and markedly as equivalent. Statistically significant has a specific technical meaning that ordinary synonyms do not necessarily preserve.
Significantly vs. Notably
This is one of the most important distinctions.
Significantly = considerably or importantly
Notably = particularly worth noticing
For example:
The company’s revenue increased significantly.
The increase was substantial.
The company’s revenue increased notably.
The increase stands out as noteworthy.
If you’re describing size, choose significantly or considerably.
If you’re highlighting attention, choose notably.
Significantly vs. Dramatically
Dramatically is more vivid and usually stronger.
The temperature increased significantly.
This sounds relatively objective.
The temperature increased dramatically.
This suggests a striking or unusually large change.
For formal reports, significantly or substantially is often safer unless the data genuinely supports the stronger wording.
A Practical Significantly Synonym Decision Tree
When replacing significantly, ask what you actually want the reader to understand.
Do you mean “by a large amount”?
→ Use considerably or substantially.
Do you mean “clearly noticeable”?
→ Use noticeably or markedly.
Do you mean “important or consequential”?
→ Use materially, meaningfully, or importantly.
Do you mean “surprisingly or impressively”?
→ Use remarkably.
Do you mean “in a striking way”?
→ Use dramatically.
Do you mean “deeply or powerfully”?
→ Use profoundly.
Do you mean “fundamentally”?
→ Use radically.
This approach produces more precise writing than selecting a synonym simply because a thesaurus lists it.
Formal and Informal Alternatives
Formal alternatives
For academic, professional, and institutional writing, consider:
- substantially
- materially
- markedly
- considerably
- notably
- substantively
- profoundly
Example:
The revised policy substantially improves regulatory compliance.
More conversational alternatives
In everyday speech, people may naturally say:
- a lot
- much more
- much less
- greatly
- noticeably
- considerably
Example:
The new version is noticeably easier to use.
The goal is not to use the most sophisticated synonym. It is to use the word that sounds most natural for the audience.
Common Collocations With Significantly
Understanding collocations can make vocabulary choices much easier.
Common combinations include:
- significantly increase
- significantly decrease
- significantly improve
- significantly reduce
- significantly affect
- significantly influence
- significantly change
- significantly different
- significantly higher
- significantly lower
- significantly more
- significantly less
- significantly greater
- significantly stronger
- significantly weaker
Many of these can be replaced with substantially, considerably, or markedly, but the naturalness varies by context.
Examples
The company significantly reduced expenses.
The company substantially reduced expenses.
The company considerably reduced expenses.
All three can work, although the second often sounds particularly natural in formal business writing.
Grammar: How to Use Significantly Correctly
Significantly is an adverb.
It commonly modifies:
Verbs
The change significantly affected the results.
Adjectives
The new model is significantly faster.
Comparative structures
The revised system is significantly more efficient.
Past participles
The risk was significantly reduced.
A common mistake is using a related form incorrectly.
- significant = adjective
- significantly = adverb
- significance = noun
- signify = verb
Examples:
The difference is significant.
The difference increased significantly.
The significance of the finding is unclear.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Significantly Synonym
1. Assuming every synonym has the same meaning
Words such as notably, materially, and dramatically add different shades of meaning.
A thesaurus can show related words, but context determines which one is correct.
2. Using “dramatically” for every large change
Dramatically suggests a striking or powerful change.
If the increase is measurable but ordinary, substantially may be more precise.
3. Confusing “significantly” with statistical significance
In scientific contexts, statistically significant is a technical expression.
It should not automatically be replaced with considerably, dramatically, or remarkably.
For example:
The treatment produced a statistically significant difference.
Here, statistically significant communicates a specific statistical conclusion, not merely a large difference.
4. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary
Replacing every instance of significantly with materially, substantively, or profoundly can make writing sound unnatural.
Precision matters more than complexity.
Vocabulary Ladder: From Mild to Strong
When choosing a synonym, intensity matters.
A useful approximate scale is:
noticeably → considerably → substantially → markedly → dramatically → profoundly
These words are not perfectly interchangeable, but the ladder helps illustrate increasing rhetorical force.
Mild observation
The results were noticeably different.
Stronger degree
The results were considerably different.
Strong measurable difference
The results were substantially different.
Pronounced difference
The results were markedly different.
Striking change
The results were dramatically different.
Deep or far-reaching difference
The results were profoundly different.
Choose the lowest level of intensity that accurately represents the evidence.
How to Make Your Writing More Precise
Instead of automatically replacing significantly, first identify the underlying idea.
Ask:
1. Is the change measurable?
Use substantially or considerably.
2. Is the change easy to observe?
Use noticeably or markedly.
3. Is the consequence important?
Use materially or meaningfully.
4. Is the result surprising?
Use remarkably.
5. Is the change dramatic?
Use dramatically.
6. Is the effect deep or far-reaching?
Use profoundly.
This turns synonym selection into a meaning-based decision rather than a word-swapping exercise.
Antonyms of Significantly
The appropriate antonym depends on which sense of significantly is intended.
Possible opposites include:
- insignificantly
- slightly
- minimally
- marginally
- negligibly
- trivially
- barely
- hardly
- somewhat
For example:
The cost increased significantly.
Possible contrast:
The cost increased only slightly.
Or:
The change had a significant effect.
Possible contrast:
The change had a negligible effect.
Slightly is often the best antonym when discussing degree, while negligibly works when discussing an effect that is too small to matter.
Related Words and the Lexical Field
The semantic field around significantly includes several related concepts:
Degree:
considerably, greatly, substantially, vastly
Importance:
importantly, meaningfully, materially
Visibility:
noticeably, markedly, clearly
Intensity:
dramatically, profoundly, remarkably
Change:
increase, decrease, improve, reduce, transform, alter
Evaluation:
important, substantial, considerable, notable, meaningful
Understanding these relationships helps expand vocabulary beyond memorizing isolated synonym lists.
Examples in Different Types of Writing
Academic writing
The intervention substantially improved student performance.
Business writing
The restructuring materially reduced operating expenses.
Professional communication
The updated process considerably improves efficiency.
Marketing copy
The new design dramatically improves the customer experience.
Customer service
The update noticeably reduces the time required to complete the process.
Leadership communication
The initiative meaningfully improved collaboration between departments.
Creative writing
The discovery profoundly changed her understanding of the past.
Public speaking
Most importantly, the reform significantly expanded access to education.
Expert Writing Tip: Don’t Replace a Word Just to Avoid Repetition
Writers sometimes believe that repeating significantly makes prose weak, so they replace it with increasingly unusual synonyms.
That can create a worse problem: semantic drift.
For example:
The new policy significantly improved safety.
Replacing it with:
The new policy profoundly improved safety.
changes the emotional and semantic force.
A better revision might be:
The new policy substantially improved workplace safety.
This avoids repetition while making the meaning more precise.
Good editing does not ask, “What synonym can replace this word?”
It asks:
“What exactly am I trying to communicate?”
That question leads to better vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best synonym for significantly?
Considerably is one of the closest general synonyms when significantly means “to a large degree.” Substantially is often better for measurable changes, while notably is better when something deserves particular attention.
What is a synonym for significantly in academic writing?
Common academic alternatives include substantially, considerably, markedly, notably, and materially. The correct choice depends on whether you are describing magnitude, visibility, importance, or practical effect.
What is a synonym for significantly in formal writing?
Good formal alternatives include substantially, considerably, markedly, materially, and profoundly. Avoid choosing a word solely because it sounds formal; semantic accuracy is more important.
What is another word for significantly increased?
Depending on meaning, you can say:
- substantially increased
- considerably increased
- markedly increased
- dramatically increased
- noticeably increased
- greatly increased
Substantially increased is particularly natural in analytical and professional writing.
What is another word for significantly improved?
Useful alternatives include:
- substantially improved
- considerably improved
- markedly improved
- greatly improved
- dramatically improved
- meaningfully improved
Choose meaningfully improved when you want to emphasize real-world value rather than simply the size of the improvement.
Is “considerably” the same as “significantly”?
Not exactly. They overlap when describing degree, but significantly can also mean “importantly,” while considerably primarily expresses a large degree or amount.
Is “notably” a synonym for “significantly”?
Sometimes, but not always. Notably means “in a way that deserves attention,” whereas significantly can mean “to a considerable degree” or “in an important way.”
What is the opposite of significantly?
Possible antonyms include slightly, minimally, marginally, negligibly, insignificantly, and barely. The best choice depends on whether you are contrasting degree or importance.
Final Recommendation
The best significantly synonym depends on the specific meaning you want to preserve.
Use considerably for a large degree, substantially for a large measurable change, markedly for a pronounced difference, notably for something worth attention, materially for an important practical consequence, meaningfully for genuine value or impact, and dramatically for a striking change.
The most effective synonym is therefore not necessarily the most advanced word. It is the word that communicates the exact degree, importance, tone, and context you intend.
When editing your writing, identify the meaning first and select the synonym second.
That small change in approach can make your vocabulary more precise without making your prose unnecessarily complicated.
