MATTERS Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

matters 1 of 2

noun

plural of matter

as in topics

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

as in things

something to be dealt with we must take care of this matter before it becomes a real problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in mails

communications or parcels sent or carried through the postal system first-class matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in problems

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

matters

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of matter

as in means

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 matters

Noun

Beyond criminal matters, the office is involved in other efforts. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026 The memo said betting on military matters related to a person’s job can warp one’s judgment. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 The issue isn't that all AI is bad, but that accuracy matters. — David Litt, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 His role expanded in 2022 to encompass broader league policy matters. — Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026 This matters because young broiler chickens (chickens raised for meat) require very warm conditions to mature. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 That rinse-clean standard matters for anyone worried about buildup, since a scalp oil that lingers after washing can leave hair looking greasy rather than nourished. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Related Stories Rice, however, was not destined to advise on matters of Uno and Matchbox cars. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

But the detail that matters most happens in a small testing room in Norwell. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 The common concern is what matters in the scene, and where the audience should be as that part of the story unfolds. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 Locker room celebrations in the NFL tend to be subdued until the Super Bowl, and since hockey players are famously superstitious, popping bottles early is practically verboten in the NHL; the Stanley Cup is all that really matters. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 That matters because nearly nine in 10 K-12 students in America attend public schools. — Raymond C. Pierce, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Four months may not sound like a long time, but with cancer, early detection matters. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Why Thwaites Glacier matters Located in West Antarctica, Thwaites is one of the region’s largest contributors to ice loss. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Endocrinologists say the timing of that first cup matters more than the cup itself. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 This is a very energy-efficient way to move around, and energy-efficiency matters a lot in robotics. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matters

Noun

To be sure, the question asking voters to name their top concerns lists several economy- and cost-related topics separately, subdividing an issue that might otherwise rank higher if lumped into a single category.

— Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Review its memory settings and connected accounts before discussing highly sensitive topics.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of topics

Noun

Which brings us back to the list of things that lasted longer than Zacharia’s term as White House Press Secretary.

— Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
The wide-leg pants keep things relaxed, and the ruched waist on the knit top adds shape and makes the whole look feel more polished than a standard sweatshirt set.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of things

Noun

The book-gifting program, part of the nonprofit Dollywood Foundation, mails free, high-quality books to children across the country and around the world once a month from birth to age 5.

— Kristy High, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Each month, the book gifting program mails free books to children from birth to age 5, regardless of their family’s income.

— Devarrick Turner, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of mails

Verb

Price optimization means choosing prices that advance business goals, such as increasing profits, attracting shoppers or clearing unsold goods.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
This defense needs to find a way to make quarterbacks uncomfortable without becoming blitz crazy, and that means Chop Robinson, Josh Uche and Malik Herring must step up and win more of their 1-on-1 assignments.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of means

Noun

Notably, this is the first book in the TOG series to drop the YA approach for more adult themes.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
So many themes related to the Tylenol poisonings seemed to emerge as Cooper investigated Betkowski’s life, but no direct evidence materialized to link him to the crime or place him in Chicago during the time of the poisonings.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

The group has faced criticism over its stances on various issues, including the wars in Gaza and Iran.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
After responding to their most visible attacks, the two candidates traded barbs over a slew of policy issues, including health care, prescription drug prices, tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of issues

Noun

Despite correspondences with Cyrus’s team, the pair wasn’t able to get together Friday night.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Most moving, above all, are the correspondences with the writers themselves who reach out at their own expense—quite literally.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026