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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
Not Bosch spin-offs, specifically, but shows in this range that combine a good but not overpaid cast, relatively cheap location filming, high viewership scores and in this case, a lot of source material. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 There are many options for staking materials and techniques; some are better suited to certain flowering plants than others. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Adjective
Through trials involving artisanal processes, students engaged in hands-on, exploratory learning that prioritized material feasibility. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 July 2025 The greatest gift a family can offer isn't material wealth or recognition, but something far more lasting: the ability to love unconditionally, to serve wholeheartedly, and to work together to build a better world. Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • Lorena Gonzalez, a former Democratic San Diego legislator turned leader of the California Labor Federation, likened her party’s support for AI and its potential to automate jobs out of existence to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which cost the party support among blue collar workers.
    Lia Russell Updated July 14, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • Finance leaders play a vital role in ensuring the organization’s technology modernization journey delivers maximum value by identifying the modernization initiatives offering the highest ROI potential with the lowest project execution risk.
    Jim DeLoach, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • That changed in December, when his uncle, who was by then very ill, gifted him all the equipment.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Orleans Parish is asking for $15 million in limited tax bonds to use for upkeep of jails and replacing security and surveillance equipment.
    Emilee Calametti, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Need to know: Disappearance of Neanderthals Neanderthals inhabited Europe and Asia beginning about 400,000 years ago—but by roughly 40,000 years ago, physical evidence of them vanishes from the archaeological record.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
  • Regular physical activity can decrease LDL cholesterol levels.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Another important preventative measure athletes can take is preparing for life after sport.
    Brook Choulet, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • On the flip-side, the World Health Organization cites traffic noise such as road, rail and air traffic as the second most important cause of ill health in western Europe behind air pollution.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The film makes the prisoners’ civil-rights violations explicit as these vulnerable characters are dropped into legal and temporal limbo and are denied the right of due process, an ongoing conversation in light of recent deportations.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • But there’s nothing average about MULA, and their new album, ETERNA, blasts these alchemic blends with darkwave, shattering temporal constructs of nostalgia and futurism with a tropi-goth sound for all seasons.
    Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • These tools could: Automatically generate product images and video ads Fill in missing data for third-party listings Rewrite product titles, bullet points and descriptions to be more relevant Now, with Starfish, Amazon wants to scale that effort across millions of listings.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
  • The model defines success in terms of legislative accomplishments, taking into account what degree of control over Congress each president's party enjoyed over the relevant period.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Brennecke is facing a felony charge, filed July 16 in Waukesha County Circuit Court before his arrest, of one count of hit-and-run causing great bodily harm.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
  • Brown had been facing two other charges — intentionally causing great bodily harm and mayhem, and physically abusing an elderly person — but those charges were dismissed as a part of the no contest plea, the outlet reported.
    Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Research is underway to develop concentrated versions of this substance from chia seed oil.1 In addition to the moisturizing properties of chia seed oil, studies suggest that the chia seeds' ability to retain moisture can also be harnessed for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.2 2.
    Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
  • These substances have already been banned by several U.S. states and the European Union.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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