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 mundane
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.
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Recent Examples of material
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The cells use perovskite, a material known for absorbing sunlight efficiently at lower production costs than silicon.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
It was supposed to incentivize companies to consider the fate of their products and spur innovation in material redesign.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for material
Noun
When the bandstand was built in 1924, downtown business owners paid for the materials and local contractors donated their labor.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The cells use perovskite, a material known for absorbing sunlight efficiently at lower production costs than silicon.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Adjective
This expansion involves integrating new data and models to better understand material performance under intense heat, radiation, and mechanical stress.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
It was supposed to incentivize companies to consider the fate of their products and spur innovation in material redesign.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
-
That potential is why the Bills chose to exercise the fifth-year option from his rookie contract despite recurring medical frustrations.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Fly By Jing discovered that a third-party manufacturer produces its products on equipment that also processed peanuts, which may have led to cross-contamination, according to the recall.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The device could also diagnose sleep disorders without bulky la equipment, monitor mental health conditions over time, and sense early signs of medical complications, the university said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The initiative will bring together agents from across the country in what the bureau describes as a structured team-building exercise aimed at reinforcing physical readiness and cohesion across field offices.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
By depicting the most awkward and unpleasant aspects of puberty — from raging hormones to physical transformations and much, much more — the series helps dispel the embarrassment and shame associated with adolescence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
The promises made and attacks scattered like buckshot on the San Francisco soundstage all seem much less important than the numbers that show up in opinion polls between now and Election Day.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
This is especially important for low-income communities and others who rely heavily on the shot for contraception.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The leaders of the future may need to be AI fluent, not just AI aware, using agentic-first approaches in automating mundane tasks, and, most importantly, focusing on agile problem resolution.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
Demna has made these mundane character studies a cornerstone of his creative vision, and this Gucci show in New York was no exception.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Collaboration between education providers, employers and public agencies can create stronger, more relevant pathways.—
Irma Becerra,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
In 1994, supermodel Christy Turlington styled hers with a crewneck sweater and black hosiery—a formula that still feels relevant today.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Another was arrested at his home on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing great bodily injury or death.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The heart, with its every beat, pumps out a mourning substance that floods the brain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
Two and a half years after Perry died, a June 5 auction will be offering 130 lots of his personal effects, with the proceeds going to his addiction and substance abuse foundation.—
Andy Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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