matter 1 of 2

noun

ˈma-tər How to pronounce matter (audio)
Definition of matternext
1
as in topic
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) that is not relevant to the matter under discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thing
something to be dealt with we must take care of this matter before it becomes a real problem

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mail
communications or parcels sent or carried through the postal system first-class matter

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution I've been thinking about the matter all night, and I believe I have a solution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in vicinity
an approximate amount, extent, or degree a simple meal that can be prepared in a matter of 20 to 30 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

matter

2 of 2

verb

as in to mean
to be of importance she believes that doing well in school really does matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 matter
Noun
This was a matter not of politics, Vance was at pains to emphasize, but of friendship. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026 After all, media and recent cinema have trained us to need to feel big in all matters Palestine. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
But for any of that to matter, the real wins will need to come on the field. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 The backlash — the reckoning, as some called it — led to a wave of corporate soul-searching that led to the demise of Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben, and a public declaration that Black lives mattered. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter
  1. topic
  2. thing
  3. mail
  4. problem
  5. vicinity
  6. mean
  7. question
  8. issue
Noun
  • Such poetic license offers little new insight into a topic that has already been picked over for two decades, but it might be forgiven were Hansen as easily dramatized as he is made fun of.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • At the University of Miami, the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is spearheading sea-rise research and has even offered an undergraduate course devoted to the topic.
    — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of topic
Noun
  • University of St Andrews primatologist Catherine Hobaiter and Dartmouth College anthropologist Nathaniel Jay Dominy think these two things – fire and human speech – may be fundamentally linked.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Despite the slower pace of things pre-internet, all 250,000 tickets had gone within nine hours.
    — Devinder Bains, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of thing
Noun
  • But if the stay is lifted or overturned, USPS would require states to submit lists of mail ballot recipients and get approval for envelope and ballot designs with individualized barcodes.
    — Peter Weber, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • About 1,650 voters cast ballots in the special election Tuesday, including early voting and mail-in ballots.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of mail
Noun
  • By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Along with the brilliant Sangare, the signing of El Hadji Malick Diouf at left-back addresses a problem area for them.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • Each incident causes a flare of light from the vicinity of the black hole, as would be expected from the brightening seen during a standard TDE.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Alter also immediately left his courtside seat during the altercation and crossed the court to confront Kanter Freedom, visibly instructing him to leave the vicinity and encouraging security to intervene.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of vicinity
Verb
  • Armed with an engine upgrade on their cars for this event, the Ferrari drivers entered the weekend with hopes of challenging for the win at an iconic race that means so much to their team.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The prevalence of starwashing does not mean that all extraterrestrial endeavors should be scorned, said The Cool Down.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of mean
Noun
  • Clear information gives everyone a fair chance to ask questions and prevents resentment from filling in the missing details.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities were not immediately sure what caused the crash, and Cordero-Stutz declined to answer additional questions from reporters.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of question
Noun
  • New York City is not the first mover on this issue and won't be the last.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The biggest hurdle for Walker will be minimizing those fleeting moments in run support that were a slight issue as a rookie.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of issue

Phrases Containing matter

Browse Nearby Words

matted
matter
mattered
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Cite this Entry

“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on matter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about matter

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