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material

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word material different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of material are applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When is it sensible to use applicable instead of material?

The synonyms applicable and material are sometimes interchangeable, but applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

When might apposite be a better fit than material?

In some situations, the words apposite and material are roughly equivalent. However, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

When is apropos a more appropriate choice than material?

Although the words apropos and material have much in common, apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When could germane be used to replace material?

While in some cases nearly identical to material, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When can pertinent be used instead of material?

The words pertinent and material can be used in similar contexts, but pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

Where would relevant be a reasonable alternative to material?

The meanings of relevant and material largely overlap; however, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

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
Noun
Accordingly, this summer’s SHPO dig uncovered both metal assay materials and household artifacts. Alex Music, Idaho Statesman, 21 June 2025 The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the damage and said no nuclear material was present during the strike. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adjective
Now, thanks to breakthroughs in quantum computing, neural architectures, and real-time data streams, this sphere is moving from metaphor into material form. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 So everything that happens in my life is material for me. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • The good news is that renewable energy not only has the potential to save money for consumers, according to the Department of Energy, but also make money for investors, with an International Energy Agency report finding clean energy outperformed fossil fuels for both 5 and 10 year periods.
    Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • And here… However, given his ball-striking ability with his weaker foot, there is also significant potential for improvement as a playmaker with his left.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Remember to bring your own camping equipment, dinner supplies to barbecue, and grill/charcoal.
    Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025
  • During the search, troopers allegedly found additional narcotics, drug paraphernalia, drug equipment and a large-capacity magazine.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 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
  • Getty Images Iran launched a missile strike against the largest American military installation in the Middle East, near Doha, Qatar, in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iran's most important nuclear sites over the weekend.
    Michele Luhn, CNBC, 24 June 2025
  • The threat of Bezos, and the more existential threats posed by capitalism and the government mean that the interests of booksellers and the literal work of book selling is more important than ever.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • While scholars like Resnik, Hosseini, Friesen, Floridi and Lin have proposed meaningful reforms, such as ethical AI education, diverse oversight and explainability principles, few focus on the evolving temporal relationship between humans and algorithms.
    Taposh Roy, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • For Lyell, the material and the organic worlds belong to categorically distinct temporal orders.
    Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Uncomfortable moments, such as when Luke Armstrong’s record £500,000 transfer from Harrogate Town collapsed due to a failure to submit the relevant paperwork in time, have previously been totally ignored.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • The carousel gives you the relevant parts of the video along with a summary, but the video page is another tap away.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • She was arraigned and charged with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, misleading a police investigation, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing personal injury.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 June 2025
  • The charges include a Level 4 felony of operating while intoxicated causing death; Level 5 felonies of reckless homicide, criminal recklessness, driving while suspended causing death and Level 6 felonies of driving while suspended causing bodily injury and reckless driving.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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