materialistic

adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​is·​tic mə-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce materialistic (audio)
1
: overly concerned or preoccupied with material possessions rather than with intellectual or spiritual things
We had always watched The Beverly Hillbillies, and the Andy Griffith Show, where the country folks had to set things straight for the more materialistic city folk.Artie Ann Bates
Paying high prices for furniture and art is surely a reflection of an increasingly materialistic age.Carol Vogel
2
: of, relating to, or deriving from the theory or doctrine of materialism (see materialism sense 1)
With the so-called Enlightenment, however, a linear, reductionistic, and materialistic view of the universe arose.David Fideler
materialistically adverb
The sin of disobedience to the heavenly vision cannot be atoned for with dollars, and the spiritual loss is highly visible in a self-centered, materialistically minded people. Robertson McQuilkin

Examples of materialistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The film does deviate from what would be the common reality in the Indian middle-class and does so only to put forth its message of quitting the rat-race and living for the present without being too indulgent in materialistic luxuries. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 In reality, DINKs seem to forgo parenthood to prioritize self-expression, personal growth and meaningful relationships over materialistic pursuits. Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The Porch sisters live with their uptight Aunt Desdemona, their materialistic Uncle Ansel and their seven snide cousins, all named Lavinia. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Psychological factors such as a lower level of life satisfaction and self-esteem, along with higher levels of anxiety, boredom, depression and materialistic and hedonistic tendencies have also been linked to more impulsive buying. Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 Roth’s Thanksgiving brings home the climate-activist parody of The Green Inferno just in time for the Black Friday sales rout, in which materialistic hedonism replaces the religious piety of the Pilgrim ancestors of 1621. Armond White, National Review, 29 Nov. 2023 For me, the essence of giving lay not in materialistic things, like another piece of jewelry or the latest Apple watch, but in the act of sharing a meal or drink with loved ones. Chrissy Tracey, Bon Appétit, 16 Nov. 2023 Lauryn Hill’s conscious and introspective approach stood out in a landscape dominated by more commercial and materialistic themes. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 11 Aug. 2023 Much of what preceded in drug rap was either a moralistic cautionary tale or lavishly materialistic. Abe Beame, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'materialistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of materialistic was circa 1832

Dictionary Entries Near materialistic

Cite this Entry

“Materialistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialistic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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