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
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Position matters, particularly with a draft class like this on deck.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
That disconnect is part of why the firm’s leaders say telling its story during Black History Month matters.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter
Noun
Yet given the power differential between China and Canada—or, for that matter, between China and any NATO ally other than the United States—such a partnership will not be among equals.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Position matters, particularly with a draft class like this on deck.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
But for Imran, none of that mattered.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
That disconnect is part of why the firm’s leaders say telling its story during Black History Month matters.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter
Noun
-
Aliens remain topic of interest Questions around the existence of aliens and life beyond Earth have swirled for years, with interest reignited by recent hearings on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAPs.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump, he's done things, and then he's continued on with his speech, and then continued on to meet with world leaders.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Charlestown then responded with a 9-0 run of their own to tie things up at 11.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Wirth, who organized a support group of AAA Insurance holders after the fire, chose not to and instead has her mail forwarded to her parents’ house.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This is a particular problem for Task-Ambience air conditioning (TAAC) systems.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As a three-term Mecklenburg County commissioner, my daily concern is delivering common-sense solutions to our problems as efficiently as possible to keep the tax rate low.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lunar controversy While NASA has built the rocket and spacecraft designed to launch astronauts off Earth and to the lunar vicinity, SpaceX has a nearly $3 billion contract to build their lunar lander, or the vehicle that will ferry the crew from their spacecraft down to the moon’s surface.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Aerial footage from the scene showed the charred sedan surrounded by fire crews with significant wreckage in the immediate vicinity.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The case, along with two others, has been selected as a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could affect how thousands of similar lawsuits play out.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
That means a large number of school-age children skipped their vaccinations in the same year that the measles outbreak in West Texas claimed the lives of two children who were not vaccinated against the disease.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The reversal follows a string of high-profile shootings involving federal immigration agents in which eyewitness statements and video evidence have called into question claims made to justify using deadly force.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
And then just to finish the question, step three is then to expand and really build out the brand from there and build other kinds of businesses around it, like events, businesses, and so on.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During the press conference, Isaacman admitted that the spacecraft should never have carried astronauts, given the unresolved technical issues.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Gravel pathways and a few unavoidable stairs here and there shouldn’t cause significant issues for travelers unreliant on walking aids.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
