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

Citizens who had identification issues have until Tuesday to address those matters in person at their local elections office. — Bill Barrow, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026 Each bed also includes a lifetime warranty, so feel free to shift your focus to more pressing matters, like how to style your Thanksgiving tablescape. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026 On other matters, including the contentious military draft law, Lieberman said political leaders must be prepared to compromise. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026 That trade-off matters in a long-range EV, where carrying more battery weight affects the vehicle’s design, while a stationary installation has more flexibility. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026 That matters because community college students often balance education with work, family responsibilities and other demands. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026 But the Bruins said none of that matters inside the UCLA locker room. — Grace Praxmarer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 Beyond criminal matters, the office is involved in other efforts. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 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

Verb

That distinction matters for companies considering multi-agent systems. — Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026 But the biggest reason the governorship matters so much to Republicans? — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026 Salary matters because Orange County educators are already struggling to keep pace with the cost of living. — Clinton McCracken, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026 That is why this 50th anniversary year of Stevie’s masterpiece double album, Songs in the Key of Life, matters to multitudes, including me. — Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026 The distinction matters because polynomial and exponential growth can produce vastly different computing demands as the size of a problem increases. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026 The power of the frame lies in its capacity to determine which information matters. — Andrew Zuckerman, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2026 But understanding an individual property’s risks matters for residents figuring out how to protect a home, and for local officials deciding where limited flood-protection money should go. — Dylan Connor, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2026 That last example illustrates why advanced detection matters. — New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matters

Noun

This year’s conference is expected to focus on implementing existing climate commitments, reducing emissions and accelerating the clean energy transition, among other topics.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Attendees are invited to speak for five minutes about books on those topics.

— Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of topics

Noun

As the Cowboys try to figure out how to maintain some sort of stability this season with their 4-5 record, there are a mountain of issues to correct, but there are also things to build with and be proud of.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2026
Just by chance, a guy who does what he is coached to do, continues to work really, really hard and do the right things, the ball somehow finds him.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 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

Noun

The agency attributed some of the initial problems to an issue with a phone provider that created a backlog, but said that issue has since been resolved.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
This mechanical attachment approach also helps reduce alignment problems when multiple units connect.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of problems

Verb

That means Congress can address this longstanding inequity without reducing benefits for other veterans.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
Which means there were backup quarterbacks more effective last season when throwing footballs to running backs.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of means

Noun

What readers are saying The conversation explores the themes of remembrance and the ways different countries honor their war dead, particularly focusing on the UK's Remembrance Day.

— Tom Tugendhat, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
That’s the appropriate way of addressing the casting choices, which broaden the interfamily conflict themes of the play without causing a shift in focus or a reinterpretation.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

Voters told pollsters that the issues most crucial to them were government corruption and the cost of living.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Officials said the extension gives the city additional time to assess potential regulations and land-use issues surrounding the facilities.

— Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 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