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
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
The main box was filled with brown bags that contained the materials needed for each individual meal.
—Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2025
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Combining two facets of the school’s core identities of text — through visuals, culture and conceptualization and texture — with the material quality of surface, the show embodied the duality of innovation and tradition, concept and craftsmanship and design and matter.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for material
Noun
The cover is also made from recycled materials that can withstand years of consistent use.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
The main box was filled with brown bags that contained the materials needed for each individual meal.
—Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2025
Adjective
If convicted, Petrova faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the smuggling charge, and up to five years in prison and an additional $250,000 on charges of concealment of material fact and false statements.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Combining two facets of the school’s core identities of text — through visuals, culture and conceptualization and texture — with the material quality of surface, the show embodied the duality of innovation and tradition, concept and craftsmanship and design and matter.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
-
European shares surged in the first half of the year, massively outperforming stocks on Wall Street — but market watchers are divided on the potential for the trend to continue.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
1 July 2025
-
Debt holders will also exchange at least $145 million of their holdings into equity, with the potential to equitize up to a total of $337 million of existing debt.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The jump in costs includes supplies like envelopes and postage, software and equipment and third-party vendor fees, according to the memo.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
1 July 2025
-
Defense industries also explored connected equipment to enhance battlefield awareness, proving the value of connected devices well before IoT became mainstream.—
Thomas Ryd,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Social isolation, depression, and lack of physical activity are each risk factors for dementia.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
27 June 2025
-
Draper repositioned from defining her thesis as childcare to the future of family, which includes the physical health and financial health of families, among other applications.—
Glen Luke Flanagan,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Moist soil is important; however, areas where moisture accumulates during the winter are not suitable as this will make the tubers rot.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
Yes, even more important than excellence in math and science.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Generally, Proverbs-Job-Ecclesiastes can be viewed as a temporal trilogy reflecting certainty about wealth and health type rewards in this life for righteousness, with a transition to questioning any such connection, and then cynicism.—
Walt Shelton,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
In recent years, the editors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists have added factors ranging from climate change to artificial intelligence into their temporal calculus.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The firm also invites students to programs that acquaint them with the profession as well as provide guidance relevant to social etiquette and academic studies.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Following a group of preteens that form a baby-sitting business in their quiet suburb, the series is sweet and deeply relevant to the kids who are watching (even if the sitters still use a landline for the nostalgia).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Of the threats of bodily harm and even death to men who got in the way.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
-
Aren’t dino farms, in which the poor creatures are kept alive just to be drained of their precious bodily fluids, the next step?—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The industry, which also helped Thailand become a tourist haunt for those looking to access the substance, was estimated in 2022 to hit $1.2 billion by 2025.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
The report says that running away can expose children to other adverse consequences like human trafficking, involvement with the criminal justice system, substance use and falling behind in school.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share