as in meant
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 mattered
What truly mattered was protecting Britain’s trade with the European continent against French interference.
—
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Here are three moments that mattered from Game 7.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
In that moment, none of this mattered.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
In the order of operations that now governs Silicon Valley — and increasingly the world — speed to success was the only metric that mattered.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
But within Seattle’s defense — a unit built on balance, depth and consistent pressure — his role still mattered.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Doctors still had to sift through large volumes of information to find what mattered.
—Bruce Broussard, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
At different stages of life, different things mattered — career, family, personal growth.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
The regular-season standings haven't mattered much in the past two PWHL playoffs, with the lower-seeded team winning each series.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Here are three moments that mattered from Game 7.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
In that moment, none of this mattered.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
In the order of operations that now governs Silicon Valley — and increasingly the world — speed to success was the only metric that mattered.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
But within Seattle’s defense — a unit built on balance, depth and consistent pressure — his role still mattered.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Doctors still had to sift through large volumes of information to find what mattered.
—Bruce Broussard, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
At different stages of life, different things mattered — career, family, personal growth.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
The regular-season standings haven't mattered much in the past two PWHL playoffs, with the lower-seeded team winning each series.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mattered
Verb
-
British monarchs are subject to rules and norms meant to prevent them from taking overtly political stands.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At that point, assistant states’ attorneys were arguing that Talley’s past criminal history meant he should be held pending trial for a pair of April 2025 charges alleging armed robbery and carjacking.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The ruling was appealed, and the case is now being weighed by the Supreme Judicial Court.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
-
The mammoth animal, which had been roaming Seminole County neighborhoods for more than a month, weighed 740 pounds when he was captured in Longwood, FWC told the Orlando Sentinel.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mattered. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
