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
Bottega Veneta’s high-craft clutches and 3D flower mules: iconic items of the house get even better with novel techniques and materializations.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 7 Oct. 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
Bottega Veneta’s high-craft clutches and 3D flower mules: iconic items of the house get even better with novel techniques and materializations.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 7 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for materialization
Noun
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But he’s journeyed to Lourdes and Our Lady of Guadalupe, both of which the Vatican has officially recognized as supernatural Marian apparitions.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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When 59% of California voters have a concern about the cost of providing public benefits to an unlimited number of people residing in the country unlawfully, that’s an apparition that will roam the earth.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The game went to extras after the Red Sox couldn’t score in the bottom of the ninth, but after Garrett Whitlock sent the Tigers down 1-2-3 in the top of the 10th, Boston only needed a base hit with the game-winning ghost runner starting the inning at second base.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
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Those themes are alive here, as the ghosts who visit Depp’s Scrooge are intricate, terrifying apparitions not suitable for the whole family.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The days of the secluded mathematician chalking up a blackboard have largely given way to a collaborative spirit as math has become increasingly technical.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Customized services from the building’s concierge available to all include events such as wine and spirits tastings that will bring neighbors together.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Materialization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/materialization. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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