as in weighing
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
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Recent Examples of mattering
However, there is a massive gulf of games played between them (Knueppel has played in 13 more games), and a tiebreaker of the Hornets' games mattering far more than the Mavericks games would likely tip the conversation anyway.
—
Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Psychologists, sociologists, and philosophers vary in their definitions of mattering, but at its core, mattering is the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
When age stopped mattering During the bourbon boom that accelerated after 2012, demand exploded faster than distilleries could age whiskey.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But why should that start mattering now?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
But as kids move into adolescence and gain more independence, friends start mattering more, filling the space previously held by parents and teachers.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
That may be why the Media Matters fight, which seems like just another front with a tangential player in the FTC's bigger battle, may end up mattering the most.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
Flett has come to understand mattering as a counterpoint to perfectionism, a more viable way to arrive at a sense of self-worth.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Psychologists, sociologists, and philosophers vary in their definitions of mattering, but at its core, mattering is the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
When age stopped mattering During the bourbon boom that accelerated after 2012, demand exploded faster than distilleries could age whiskey.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But why should that start mattering now?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
But as kids move into adolescence and gain more independence, friends start mattering more, filling the space previously held by parents and teachers.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
That may be why the Media Matters fight, which seems like just another front with a tangential player in the FTC's bigger battle, may end up mattering the most.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
Flett has come to understand mattering as a counterpoint to perfectionism, a more viable way to arrive at a sense of self-worth.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mattering
Verb
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Heavy thickening products can backfire by weighing strands down and making hair appear flatter.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
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The question weighing over this year's critical midterm elections is whether the president's backing is a help or hindrance.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The backstory Amanyara is a portmanteau of Aman, meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, and Yara, meaning ‘place’ in the language of the Arawak people who once lived on Turks and Caicos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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Additional elective teachers and administrative support increase staffing costs, meaning the program requires higher enrollment to remain financially sustainable.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mattering. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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