material 1 of 2

noun

Definition of materialnext
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

material

2 of 2

adjective

mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce material (audio)
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

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

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
In addition, warmer water temperatures and the decomposition of organic material can promote bacterial growth. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Substituting another material for copper won’t really work either – at least in the short-to-medium term. —Adam Charles Simon, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
At the point of impact, where buildings shatter and flesh is shredded, the war inhabits the material world of awful human consequences. —Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026 Are there shortages of material goods for the American consumer? —Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
  1. potential
  2. equipment
  3. physical
  4. important
  5. mundane
  6. relevant
  7. bodily
  8. substance
Noun
  • As a growing Waxhaw sees more congestion on the town’s roads, upcoming traffic projects have the potential to smooth out daily commutes.
    — March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The House bill, which takes aim at members of Congress and executive branch officials like the president, seeks to take the potential for profit out of decision-making by public officials.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of potential
Noun
  • The company said the blowout was caused by the improper assembly and setting of equipment that was designed to prevent the flow of liquids.
    — Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Copper is an essential material that is used in generating and distributing electrical power; cables, wires, motor windings, transformers and cooling equipment in data centers; and advanced manufacturing of consumer and defense products.
    — Adam Charles Simon, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of equipment
Adjective
  • Beyond the physical pain of a torn ligament or a broken bone, a sports injury often strips a young athlete of a big part of their identity.
    — Ian McMahan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • After walking a few blocks, the protest turned physical when a man in a brown jacket stormed into the crowd of teens.
    — Liz Crawford, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • One of the more important revelations from Netanyahu’s press conference was about how the joint strikes with the United States, known as Operation Epic Fury, have been extremely effective at decimating Iran’s weapons.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But, really, these are the times when that stuff is most important.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • Another busied himself writing and rewriting the mundane information on his slate.
    — Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Somehow, their mundane jobs always descend into surreal chaos, much to the annoyance of their boss and coworkers.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of mundane
Adjective
  • Elphaba stands up against the corrupt Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) while the frenemies evolve their relationship and sing a lot in an unexpectedly relevant fantasy flick about standing up for what’s right.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
  • This is particularly relevant for industrial environments where visibility may be limited.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of relevant
Adjective
  • Lyons was booked for assault likely to produce great bodily injury.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The act provides ways for a victim to seek relief from being harmed by doxing, or the act of intentionally using another’s personally identifiable information, including social media profiles, without consent with the intent to harass, cause mental anguish or create fear of bodily harm or death.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of bodily
Noun
  • Samantha Burgett, sheriff’s department social worker and founder of the nonprofit Community Change Center, said the center offers services pre- and post-incarceration for substance abuse issues.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The subsidiary provides biomanufacturing services, including process development and CGMP drug substance production.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of substance

Phrases Containing material

Browse Nearby Words

materfamiliases
material
materialism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on material

Nglish: Translation of material for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about material

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zany

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
back-of-head-mortarboard
Quiz: Name That Hat! Time to put on your thinking cap.
See All