material 1 of 2

Definition of materialnext

material

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adjective

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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
Among them, Kisawa Sanctuary is known for using 3D printing technology to create natural building materials, essentially a mixture of sand and seawater. Melanie Van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026 There was a lot of relatable material. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In a Thursday note, Morningstar Senior Equity Analyst Brett Horn wrote that Block’s fourth-quarter growth accelerated meaningfully and that management’s 2026 guidance calls for material margin improvement as the company dramatically lowers its headcount. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026 Around the midpoint of the special, Fleming winds up for a joke about Oreos, which was material Benz had never heard before. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • Some will point to poor television ratings as a sign of trouble, while others can point to crowds drawn this season in Brooklyn and Philadelphia as signs of potential for Unrivaled.
    Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • His trip comes after a February visit by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, which was focused on the country's oil potential.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To kick-start spring cleaning, check out storage options like a classy wood bench that conceals extra pillows, gardening equipment, and sports equipment, and a no-nonsense deck box with a lock to keep contents secure.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group supplied core equipment for the Project covering both power generation and thermal storage systems, as per the release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • LaMelo Ball bodying up Noticing a more physical nature from LaMelo Ball this season?
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Understanding the faces of early human ancestors is of interest to researchers because their features represent a connection between hominins and their physical and social surroundings, Beaudet said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Heat will go from facing one of the worst teams in the NBA on Thursday to taking on the hottest team in the league in an important game on Friday.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
  • But — and this is important — computers are tools not workers.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • No workers for mundane tasks Diez revealed that manufacturers worldwide are struggling to find laborers for highly repetitive physical tasks.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The response was a playful dig at the mundane nature of the original headline.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But Anthropic said the relevant supply chain law limited the scope of the Pentagon’s designation.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
  • But Amodei said the relevant statute, 10 USC 3252, applies only to direct use of Claude within specific Department of War contracts rather than all use of Claude by companies that happen to hold such contracts.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That means Waymo will be required to file reports to the PUC detailing any crashes involving bodily injury and more than $5,000 in property damage within 30 days, Castle said.
    Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
  • What Magnesium Does in the Body Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 different bodily reactions.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But the truth here is that that divide was really more about style than substance.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Naloxone, the active drug in Narcan, is only effective on opioids and not on stimulants like cocaine, which would suggest the substance Dick used was adulterated with an opiate such as fentanyl.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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