material 1 of 2

noun

Definition of materialnext
1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed she's clearly movie star material

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in equipment
usually materials plural items needed for the performance of a task or activity I have all the materials to build the mobile

Synonyms & Similar Words

material

2 of 2

adjective

mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce material (audio)
1
as in physical
relating to or composed of matter there's no material evidence, such as a dead body, that a murder has been committed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having great meaning or lasting effect there's no material difference between the two designs for the skyscraper: one's as bad as the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in temporal
having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven people who worry more about material concerns than about spiritual ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in relevant
having to do with the matter at hand that information, while fascinating, is not material to our discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bodily
of or relating to the human body material needs such as food and warmth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word material different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of material are applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When is it sensible to use applicable instead of material?

The synonyms applicable and material are sometimes interchangeable, but applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

When might apposite be a better fit than material?

In some situations, the words apposite and material are roughly equivalent. However, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

When is apropos a more appropriate choice than material?

Although the words apropos and material have much in common, apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When could germane be used to replace material?

While in some cases nearly identical to material, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When can pertinent be used instead of material?

The words pertinent and material can be used in similar contexts, but pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

Where would relevant be a reasonable alternative to material?

The meanings of relevant and material largely overlap; however, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

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 material
Noun
Ideally, the company will have strong policies on managing workers' rights issues in the supply chain and sourcing materials in an eco-friendly way. — Simon Hill, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025 Key Takeaways Regularly cleaning your garden gloves based on their material type helps extend their lifespan and keeps them protective. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Indeed, most religions also include a subset of followers who argue for eschewing material things in favor of a more spiritual life frequently personified by hermits. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The company did not identify any material legal proceedings as of the filing date. — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
  1. potential
  2. equipment
  3. physical
  4. important
  5. temporal
  6. relevant
  7. bodily
  8. substance
Noun
  • But if Game 1 is any indication, this has the potential to be a short one.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Each year, Christians celebrate this resurrection at Easter and marvel at the potential for the moribund to become filled with life again.
    — Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of potential
Noun
  • Strategic National Coverage via Four Warehouses For consumers integrating fitness into their everyday environments, waiting weeks for equipment to arrive can derail momentum.
    — Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Some of the money goes to teacher bonuses, exam fees and the purchase of equipment.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of equipment
Adjective
  • Addressing both the mental and physical parts of grief is critical for healing.
    — Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The 4-1 demolition of Manchester United showed Newcastle at their aggressive, physical and breathless best.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • This Milan Design Week was an important one for Louis Vuitton.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That’s important to bring out the best in the people around you.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of important
Adjective
  • There is a limit, which could be discussed as a temporal one.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When the master of timing departed our temporal world for a large and silent india-ink panel nine days shy of his 96th birthday, the cartoonist left behind an enormous body of work that still dances on the page.
    — Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of temporal
Adjective
  • OpenAI reports improvements in core competencies relevant to developers.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Meta has argued in court papers that its purchases of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 have benefited users, and that Zuckerberg's past statements are no longer relevant amid fierce competition from ByteDance's TikTok, Google's YouTube and Apple's messaging app.
    — Jody Godoy, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of relevant
Adjective
  • Mosser’s office determined that none of the officers should be charged with using deadly force given the reasonable belief that the force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of bodily
Noun
  • But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.
    — Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Within the compulsively readable and entertaining pages of all her stories, Weiner loads complex issues that resonate in women’s lives – body image and weight shaming; motherhood and infertility; infidelity; addiction and substance abuse, just to name a few.
    — Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of substance

Phrases Containing material

Browse Nearby Words

materfamiliases
material
materialism
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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on material

Nglish: Translation of material for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about material

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