as in apparition
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
since no one lived in the attic, the landlord suggested that the new tenant might have seen the materialization of a woman once murdered there
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Recent Examples of materialization
Who knows if, in this upside-down world that currently weighs on her, the june bug can see the nearby corpse of another beetle, accidentally disemboweled by the home’s owner hours before, the white fat peeking out from her rear end like the materialization of her dying breath.
—
María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Historical precedent suggests 18-24 months between credibility-damaging foreign policy moments and electoral materialization.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Not rarely during an exorcism, some faithful, especially if victims of curses, gag, sometimes followed by the expulsion of gastrointestinal material and, in some cases, even the materialization of objects among the most varied (nails, glass, razor blades, braids of hair, etc.).
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The high-top comes in a neutral White Sand hue, while dimensionality is added through a suede and canvas materialization.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
Not meant to be taken literally, the twist after a shocking act violence reads like the materialization of Ali’s desire to be a bolder, more stereotypically masculine iteration of himself.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
New materializations of pure desire, birthing all creatures, as hungry as new life.
—Ida Momennejad, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Historical precedent suggests 18-24 months between credibility-damaging foreign policy moments and electoral materialization.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Not rarely during an exorcism, some faithful, especially if victims of curses, gag, sometimes followed by the expulsion of gastrointestinal material and, in some cases, even the materialization of objects among the most varied (nails, glass, razor blades, braids of hair, etc.).
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The high-top comes in a neutral White Sand hue, while dimensionality is added through a suede and canvas materialization.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
Not meant to be taken literally, the twist after a shocking act violence reads like the materialization of Ali’s desire to be a bolder, more stereotypically masculine iteration of himself.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
New materializations of pure desire, birthing all creatures, as hungry as new life.
—Ida Momennejad, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for materialization
Noun
-
Soon, the governess starts seeing the apparition of the former governess, Miss Jessel, and former valet, Peter Quint, both recently dead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
The peak of Mercury's apparition (for latitude 40 degrees north) and its greatest elongation from the sun don't occur until the middle of June.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The ghost called Sidhangana, who acts as chorus, is the rainbow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
The series was an anthology hosted by the titular Frankelda, the ghost of an aspiring horror writer, who told stories about children encountering the paranormal.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
This year, the festival continued but took a blow, with officials postponing the Strawberry Stomp 5K and parade, which usually showcases community spirit and guest celebrities.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
-
An unexpected encounter with ancient spirits leaves the young son to navigate the project’s completion, and help reunite his family.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Materialization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/materialization. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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