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materialism

noun

Definition of materialismnext
as in commercialism

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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 materialism It was revered for its intelligent satire of modern society and materialism, providing sight gags and slapstick humor for kids while proving relatable for young adults learning to navigate life. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026 If materialism is right, there’s nothing science can’t eventually account for. — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 6 May 2026 This is a guy who could write these incredibly bigoted figures, and then also write this really searing indictment of American materialism. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026 The book is a Christian parable, pitting faith against 20th-century materialism. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for materialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for materialism
  1. commercialism
  2. greed
  3. possessiveness
  4. avarice
  5. acquisitiveness
  6. greediness
  7. cupidity
  8. rapacity
Noun
  • As another city on the margins of America, a place caught between commercialism and conceptualism, there are perhaps few artists better suited to Miami than Baldessari.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For those weary of the overt commercialism surrounding those glitzy showpieces, the GAA provides a refreshing antidote.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of commercialism
Noun
  • Today, the pitchforks are out, and who else better represents the hubris and greed of late-stage capitalism?
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The show’s noir movie aesthetics still serve its story of political ambition, where revenge is disguised as justice and greed hidden behind lofty lies of patriotism.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of greed
Noun
  • Irina’s hunger and possessiveness both escalate, leading to the (offscreen) murders of anyone who gets in the way — of her parenting, or a meal.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • This can trigger jealousy, possessiveness, taboo-like attractions, emotional ultimatums, social power plays or money issues that reveal deeper conflicts.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Definition of possessiveness
Noun
  • The billions from the public treasury have resulted in profits beyond the dreams of avarice.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities explores greed, avarice and racial divisions between the haves and have nots in 1980s New York City.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of avarice
Noun
  • Many critics of such wanton cosmic acquisitiveness balk at the idea of scarcely regulated private-sector lunar strip-mining.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
  • Following too closely in its protagonist’s footsteps, The Queen of Versailles presents only two options — tough but spiritually fulfilling material deprivation or unconstrained acquisitiveness.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of acquisitiveness
Noun
  • People in the comments shared in the woman’s frustration, agreeing that her mother's greediness needs to be addressed.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
  • When kids didn’t withdraw, it was sometimes seen as greediness.
    — Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of greediness
Noun
  • Most accounts of the era blame greed—a new ethic of cupidity that displaced whatever youthful idealism remained from the 1960s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
  • The stories of corporate cupidity and stupidity are perhaps more relevant now with technology discrupting markets.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of cupidity
Noun
  • This variation of socialism aimed to blunt the rapacity of capitalism rather than sharpen its contradictions and hasten the coming revolution.
    — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
  • The French—and, later, Anglo (Wilde, Beardsley, Rossetti)—attitude, mannered and morbid, was perhaps too Old World, at odds with our cheerful, Protestant rapacity.
    — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Definition of rapacity

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Cite this Entry

“Materialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/materialism. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on materialism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about materialism

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