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
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
Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Key Facts OpenAI's bankers have been preparing confidential initial paperwork that could land with the Securities and Exchange Commission within days, people familiar with the matter told the Journal, though plans remain fluid.
—Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Sharon Wu, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Experts say the country matters less than the clinic itself.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter
Noun
In addition to the job cuts, about 7,000 employees will be moved into new AI-focused roles, according to a person familiar with the move, who asked not to be named in order to discuss internal matters.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Key Facts OpenAI's bankers have been preparing confidential initial paperwork that could land with the Securities and Exchange Commission within days, people familiar with the matter told the Journal, though plans remain fluid.
—Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
Industrial demand matters for silver prices because manufacturers use more than half of the world’s silver supply each year.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Experts say the country matters less than the clinic itself.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
-
At one point, Catherine and I landed on the topic of smugness as an obstacle to creativity.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Many wanted to believe that if only we could get rid of certain leaders, things would soon return to normal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
That’s probably impossible based on the rules and things like that.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
More than 500,000 Maryland voters requested mail ballots.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Trees with root problems and those near sidewalks or drives are the first to fall too.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
New York lawmakers are mulling a three-year moratorium on permits for new high-energy data centers, essentially telling residents that data centers are the problem.—
Iulia Lupse,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The project aims to validate the underlying technology for a future mission that could someday take a neutrino detector to the vicinity of the sun.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
-
In one particularly harrowing example, the report details three separate incidents of rape at the site of the Nova Music Festival near the Gaza perimeter, citing a survivor who was hiding in the immediate vicinity of the attack.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
That athleticism means that today’s blend of speed and power stands alone.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
But that doesn’t mean Sander was always serious.—
Max Norman,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
The patio umbrella in question is perfectly oversized to cast a cool shadow over your entire lounge area.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
-
There is no single right answer to the question of how many potatoes grow from one potato; the yield depends on a range of factors, such as the potato variety, the time of planting, the growing conditions, and more.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
The tension spilled into election issues, including accusations that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized ballots in a voter‑fraud investigation, now at the center of a legal fight with the state attorney general.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Vrabel, meanwhile, stumbled though multiple press conferences while trying to both avoid and explain the issue without ever really providing details.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
