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
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
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
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
The magnetic closure keeps your products secure while the case’s neoprene material is both sleek and durable.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Management is estimating a $10 million drag on profit margins and is coping with material delivery problems.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for material
Noun
These materials will be used to build the powerful magnets that form a magnetic cage to confine plasma heated to temperatures exceeding 150 million degrees Celsius (302 million degrees Fahrenheit).
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
The magnetic closure keeps your products secure while the case’s neoprene material is both sleek and durable.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
This defends against accusations of insider trading for employees who may have access to material nonpublic information.
—Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Management is estimating a $10 million drag on profit margins and is coping with material delivery problems.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
-
The paper also highlights the potential of digital twins — virtual patient replicas that allow doctors to simulate treatments before applying them in real life.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This creates the potential for payload delivery and even medical evacuation from orbit to any major metropolitan area.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The capital costs of capture equipment, plus the energy demands for capture and conversion processes, create a tough business case without subsidies or premium product markets.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, newer synthetic drugs such as spice or bath salts may not be detected at all without specialized equipment.—
Andrew Yockey,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Farrell was a heavy favorite due to his complete physical transformation in The Penguin, becoming barely recognizable to play villainous Oswald.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
With a mix of humor and introspection, Turturro’s speech reflected on his experiences taking care of his late brother with mental challenges and physical illness.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The plants captured more carbon without drawing more water, an important factor for real-world applications.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Grey’s son, Loren Grey, restored his father’s original ending in the novel’s 1982 Pocket Books reprint, but the vanishing mythos remains intact, with the last of the tribe wistfully following Curtis’s Navajo into the temporal graveyard of the past.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Psychologists call this a temporal landmark, a point in time like a birthday or seasonal shift that can spark motivation to take on new challenges.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is particularly relevant in the case of ChatGPT, as OpenAI is, as of writing, obliged by a US federal court order to store all conversations, even those deleted by users or conducted in its Temporary Chat mode.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Nir Kshetri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The virus, which is spread by bodily fluids, is endemic in animal populations in Central and West Africa, and there are periodic outbreaks.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Chernyak, who came to the US last August, was arrested in January and charged with battery with bodily harm over what his common-law wife Oksana Tarasiuk told CNN was a misunderstanding exacerbated by a language barrier with police officers.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA would recognize the medical use of the substance, reducing federal restrictions on research and medical applications.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Unlike ordinary glues, this substance works in wet, salty, and constantly moving conditions, forming a tough bond that resists both pressure and erosion.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share