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

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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Arkansas Online, 4 June 2026 The Aquarius Moon makes private material more active, so give the early version room before exposing it to judgment. Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Adjective
While the contract is not material from a financial perspective, the MPW Board believes the significance of the contract extension is that the ongoing strategic relationship with one of the world’s most respected nuclear energy companies is material, according to companies. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026 His comment included a potentially material aspect about their deal that wasn’t included in SpaceX’s 300-plus page IPO filing. Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • Investigators said the device had the potential to damage an aircraft and cause a loss of cabin pressure.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • Steve Hilton has painted California as a state bursting with potential that has lost its way under Democratic leadership in his bid to be the state's first Republican governor in more than 15 years.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Japanese companies also occupy critical positions throughout the semiconductor value chain, from fabrication equipment and specialty materials to NAND flash memory production, Barclays said.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • At the time, detectives collected and preserved physical evidence but were unable to narrow down a suspect.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • As for agentic commerce, in Jain’s framing, only Google, Anthropic, and Bilt have the breadth of demand-side merchant integrations to power AI commerce in the physical world.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • China is North Korea’s top economic lifeline, accounting for the vast majority of the country’s foreign trade, and has long ranked as Pyongyang’s most important diplomatic partner.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • This year, owing to a mixup in the congressional budget, one of the government’s most important scholarships was left severely underfunded, depriving thousands of Peru’s neediest high-school graduates of the opportunity to continue their studies at local universities.
    Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Decades later, that mundane trip provided the missing link to break China’s monopoly on the global electric vehicle supply chain.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
  • The action shifts to New York for just one extended sequence, set in a bar, where Tommy and Jeff reunite to discuss their more mundane lives in the months since their day in Brigadoon.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Demand for trades like blacksmithing has declined steadily for centuries, but workshop bookings from tourists are helping artisans stay in business and keep dying skills relevant.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
  • His forecast was the crucial edge in D-day and the volatility of the weather is increasingly relevant in our lives, especially with our changing climate.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Between 2012 and 2015, Perry was also convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence, possession of ammunition as a felon and fleeing from police in Sacramento County, according to the criminal complaint.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
  • Court records showed Jimenez cracked the woman’s orbital socket and was charged with battery with serious bodily injury.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Keefer has emphasized student achievement and school safety, pointing to his support for programs focused on bullying prevention, suicide prevention and substance-use prevention as a Trustee.
    Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
  • Prior to the second arrest, a New Orleans judge ordered LaBeouf to begin substance abuse treatment and undergo weekly drug testing.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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