1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed
she's clearly movie star material
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in equipment
usually materials plural
items needed for the performance of a task or activity
I have all the materials to build the mobile
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in physical
relating to or composed of matter
there's no material evidence, such as a dead body, that a murder has been committed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having great meaning or lasting effect
there's no material difference between the two designs for the skyscraper: one's as bad as the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mundane
having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven
people who worry more about material concerns than about spiritual ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in relevant
having to do with the matter at hand
that information, while fascinating, is not material to our discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bodily
of or relating to the human body
material needs such as food and warmth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
The renovation was carried out using materials sourced from within 30 miles of the property by local workers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Johns Hopkins University’s history of expansion in Baltimore includes a record of material harm.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for material
Noun
Meanwhile, outflow jets purge some of this material out to the edges of its protoplanetary disk.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
The renovation was carried out using materials sourced from within 30 miles of the property by local workers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Their conversations with others (verbal and electronic) may be material to assessing motive.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Johns Hopkins University’s history of expansion in Baltimore includes a record of material harm.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
-
Because of the potential for wintry precipitation, several schools chose to reschedule their games for Thursday, including five of the six Class 6A contests.—
Erick Taylor,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Horvath said the subway has the potential to take about one-quarter of those 400,000 daily commuters out of their cars, off the 405 and onto public transit.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The primary driver now is its Infrastructure Solutions Group, which encompasses servers, storage, and networking — the vital equipment that fuels data centers.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Metinvest is already conducting a large-scale equipment modernisation to produce premium iron ore feedstock (DRI/HBI) for low-carbon steelmaking, exactly what is needed for the EU's 'green' transition.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The game featured physical defense from both teams.—
Dan Rios,
Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Subtle effects include slower thinking, greater reactivity, weight gain, other physical changes, and diminished executive presence.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Metinvest considers human capital as important as advanced technologies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
When privacy is important, there’s a physical rotating lens cover that can offer an extra layer of security between meetings or streaming sessions.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Last spring, my colleague Elaine Godfrey wrote about finding joy in mundane places.—
Isabel Fattal,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Product breadth is huge, some customer tasks may be highly technical, others mundane but requiring accuracy, and others still are more about look and feel.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Good readers scan text, skip ahead, go back a few paragraphs or pages, and nimbly pick out relevant sections.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Starpower is a currency that goes a long way, as brands race to claim Hollywood heavyweights and hot young things, curating an envoy of beautiful, young, relevant people who are said to represent the brand’s interests and values.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
He was also charged with two felony enhancements of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury or death, two felony enhancements for knowing another principal was personally armed with a firearm and one felony enhancement of personal use of a firearm.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pay close attention to your bodily cues.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Court records and testimony revealed that Wilson cycled in and out of counseling programs, substance abuse treatment and brief periods of stability.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
However, as the substance is considered a supplement and not a medicine, formulations by manufacturers often bypass strict regulatory controls.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
