as in meant
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
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Recent Examples of mattered
What mattered, Topazio said, was creating a space where ambitious, high-level artistic work and humanity could coexist.
—
Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
San Antonio won eight of the 12 meetings against the Thunder this season — and in the end, the only matchup that really mattered.
—Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
While many people online insisted the loft should be used as a bedroom, by simply placing a mattress on the floor, Giangreco quickly ruled that out for practical reasons that mattered far more to her than aesthetics.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
What mattered to Wildmon and his allies was their response to the idea of the work, and their ability to trigger that response in their followers.
—Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Scientists explained why the Hilo office mattered.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
For a few hours, nothing else mattered for the soccer-loving people of the troubled Caribbean country, which is playing in the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
—CBS News, 30 May 2026
What happened here mattered far beyond Central Florida.
—John W. Beacham, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
The match mattered little as Inter already owned the league title — and the Italian Cup — while Bologna had no chance of qualifying for Europe.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
San Antonio won eight of the 12 meetings against the Thunder this season — and in the end, the only matchup that really mattered.
—Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
While many people online insisted the loft should be used as a bedroom, by simply placing a mattress on the floor, Giangreco quickly ruled that out for practical reasons that mattered far more to her than aesthetics.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
What mattered to Wildmon and his allies was their response to the idea of the work, and their ability to trigger that response in their followers.
—Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Scientists explained why the Hilo office mattered.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
For a few hours, nothing else mattered for the soccer-loving people of the troubled Caribbean country, which is playing in the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
—CBS News, 30 May 2026
What happened here mattered far beyond Central Florida.
—John W. Beacham, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
The match mattered little as Inter already owned the league title — and the Italian Cup — while Bologna had no chance of qualifying for Europe.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mattered
Verb
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Chicago — At the top of the Obama Presidential Center, in its sunlit Sky Room is where you’re meant to take it all in.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Gabriel chose Bea, Kayda chose Zach (duh), which meant Trinity and Bryce became a couple of cast-offs.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Injuries complicated matters and the death of Diogo Jota weighed heavily on Liverpool, but to this point, their extraordinary activity in last summer’s transfer window has counted for little.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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Having the pressure of falling in this spot, especially for three-year starters, weighed heavy.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mattered. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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