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
Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Harden Dry Polish With Ice While some materials are easier to remove with heat, nail polish isn’t one of them.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026
Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
But for those who need more detail, Dutch philosopher and journalist Doortje Smithuijsen dives into the many, many ways in which capitalism perpetuates patriarchy and relies on the unpaid labor of women to contribute to its endless need for material growth.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for material
Noun
On TikTok, there’s even tutorials on how to wrap it into a halterneck tank top—the stretchy material allows for it.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Harden Dry Polish With Ice While some materials are easier to remove with heat, nail polish isn’t one of them.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
But walk through the bedding aisle or take up Google search on the topic, and you’re inundated with material selections — percale, linen, silk, flannel — and thread counts, too.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
But for those who need more detail, Dutch philosopher and journalist Doortje Smithuijsen dives into the many, many ways in which capitalism perpetuates patriarchy and relies on the unpaid labor of women to contribute to its endless need for material growth.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
-
Some said their businesses aren’t relevant to the bubble concerns, while others expressed optimism about AI’s potential and said they are focused on building products that show it.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sports Equipment While the dishwasher isn't ideal for cleaning baseball caps, uniforms, or equipment heavily-coated with mud, a trip through a dishwasher cycle is ideal to remove bacteria and odors from mouth guards and hard plastic shin guards.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The facility had dishes and equipment washed in an automatic dish machine without any sanitizer.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As a pattern of intimidation, isolation, humiliation and controlling behavior, coercive control can be as damaging as physical abuse.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Felton’s confessions, both to his father and to police, were corroborated by location data and physical evidence, the complaint says.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The new California law or Assembly Bill 1830 requires most tortillas and corn masa products sold to contain folic acid, a vitamin important to infant health, according to CalMatters.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Not only is the actual lighting itself important for completing tasks and creating ambiance, but the fixtures also double as decor.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Most cops have hero dreams, protector fantasies that sustain them through days that are mostly mundane.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Big fantastical ones, but also ones that feel so normalized and mundane and get extrapolated to their most dystopian and absurd.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Torres’s bill would narrowly focus on government employees, banning anyone from trading on prediction market platforms who has access to material nonpublic information relevant to the contract—or, more broadly, who could reasonably obtain the information.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In an era when the Baltimore Orioles’ owner has commissioned a giveaway bobblehead of himself, the Colosseum’s history is as relevant as ever.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
He has been charged with two counts of assault and battery, one to cause serious bodily injury and another on a person over the age of 60.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Key Takeaways Oranges and orange juice are rich in vitamin C, which is key for supporting the immune system, tissue repair, and other bodily functions.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Police arrested Andy Alcantara-Beltre, 33, of Dorchester and charged him with unlawful possession of a gun and ammunition, trafficking a Class A substance (over 100 grams), and possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance (crack cocaine).—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
These substances are crucial in producing everything from electric vehicle batteries to cutting-edge military hardware — vital currency in the global tech battle with China and others.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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