1
as in topic
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)
that is not relevant to the matter under discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thing
something to be dealt with
we must take care of this matter before it becomes a real problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mail
communications or parcels sent or carried through the postal system
first-class matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution
I've been thinking about the matter all night, and I believe I have a solution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to mean
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 matter
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
Most voters will never understand this matter of government debt.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
And his confessional episode intros, which tackle matters as mundane as the latest cat updates and as wrenching as the death of his late partner, director Lynn Shelton, have cultivated a unique bond with many who contribute to his 55 million in annual listens.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matter
Noun
Manhattan Federal Judge Richard Berman, presiding over Epstein’s case, is still mulling a request from the DOJ to unseal the grand jury records in that matter.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
Most voters will never understand this matter of government debt.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
And that in itself is a form of resistance: this constant asking of questions and seeing what really matters.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
And his confessional episode intros, which tackle matters as mundane as the latest cat updates and as wrenching as the death of his late partner, director Lynn Shelton, have cultivated a unique bond with many who contribute to his 55 million in annual listens.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter
Noun
-
These are similar to the topics the Biden-era FAA was looking at last year.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The event focused on a topic that almost every parent needs guidance on—creating healthy digital wellness habits and mindful phone use.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Finding your community via identity is one thing, but some clubs go even more niche and have combined two different cultures—the Jewish one and the culture of cannabis.—
Sophie Liza Cannon,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Thursday's segment wasn't the first Live bit that hosted one of Consuelos' complaints about things that aren't, in his eyes, manly enough.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Customers may also receive interactions from legitimate customer service representatives via email, phone call or physical mail.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The man was arrested and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City on charges of burglary and mail theft.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Roblox stock is down 9% this past week alone in the wake of all this, and now, it’s just issued a bunch of new safety updates trying to prune some of the problems away.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Unlike Alzheimer's, FTD often causes dramatic personality changes, emotional withdrawal and problems with speech, movement and decision-making.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The actor also shared details about his time on set, explaining that being in the pop star's vicinity gave him instant cool points.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The footage was shot in the alley behind the Savoy Hotel in London, and according to Pennebaker (who died in 2019), some of the handwritten lyrics were supplied by Joan Baez and Donovan, who were both in Dylan’s vicinity (and crosshairs) at the time.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Few players mean as much to their clubs and fanbases as Alonso does to the Mets.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
-
And that's a major problem for anyone who's not used to having turn signals on their bike (meaning almost everyone).—
JOHN TIMMER,
ArsTechnica,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
With agents, users don’t have to worry about asking dumb questions, or repeating the same question several times.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association, asked several questions about contractor oversight of the project during the July 31 meeting.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But Cease entered the game with a 7.24 ERA in his 10 losses, and the command issues snowballed on him in a key matchup with the Padres’ chief rival.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Yates spent time on the IL with a hamstring injury earlier this season and his lower-body issues might have affected his mechanics, leading to a lack of effectiveness with his splitter.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share