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
as in to mean
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matter
Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
How do key components of matter — gas, dust, and heavy elements — flow into, get transported throughout, and ejected out of galaxies over time?
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
The final box score mattered, but the larger truth of Pool D in Miami was already clear.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter
Noun
Martin and an attorney representing him in the matter didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
How do key components of matter — gas, dust, and heavy elements — flow into, get transported throughout, and ejected out of galaxies over time?
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
If location matters more to you than the cost, choosing your exact stateroom might be a safer bet.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
The final box score mattered, but the larger truth of Pool D in Miami was already clear.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter
Noun
-
Fears around migration in Turkey Migration is a sensitive topic in Turkey, which at one point was hosting nearly 4 million Syrian refugees.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Things like focused breathing, mental offloading, light and temperature, somatic focused grounding, and limited screen time are hot topics.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Collins and athletic director Todd Stewart are determined for things to go much differently next season.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The charges of mail and wire fraud can lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The first poll will be released on March 24, and then five additional surveys will come out every seven to 10 days until voters start receiving mail ballots in early May.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Then there was the pesky problem of Big Ten travel.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Maddix was born by emergency C-section with an enlarged heart that was causing a laundry list of other medical problems.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This factor could favor stars with more oblong orbits, which tend to be older, because younger stars with circular orbits wouldn’t have made it to our vicinity yet.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Officers froze the area around the vehicle and conducted limited evacuations of buildings in the vicinity while the department's bomb squad assessed the device.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The purchase for an undisclosed sum is meant to boost Anduril’s capabilities in space domain awareness, battle management and fire control.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The judge dismissed the charges with prejudice, meaning that the case cannot be retried.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
And yet, Trump has also managed to avoid complex questions about those issues — the most pressing before his administration — and despite Democrats and some of his own supporters lashing out over them.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jakucionis made his second straight start amid the Heat’s injury issues and the 11th start of his rookie season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
At issue are California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which were adopted in 2022 and established several requirements for automakers, including the 2035 zero-emission sales mandate.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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