NONMATERIAL Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

nonmaterial

adjective

ˌnän-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl

Definition of nonmaterial

as in spiritual

not composed of matter Newton's laws explain the effects of nonmaterial forces on bodies

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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 nonmaterial The author excludes them all, asserting that belief in any kind of nonmaterial, ethereal world lacks empirical support. — Denis Alexander, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023 The first part of the book is committed to a ground-clearing exercise, describing the various concepts of the nonmaterial soul that feature in many different religious belief systems. — Denis Alexander, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023 The real challenge in terms of 2022 earnings is going to be addressing inflation in other costs, so nonmaterial costs. — George Stahl, WSJ, 12 Feb. 2022 An example of a nonmaterial breach is a landlord thinking their tenant is not cleaning enough, but nothing has been damaged. — Randy Furst, Star Tribune, 11 July 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonmaterial

Adjective

Between these firsthand testimonies from veterans, his own medical miracle, and the spiritual experience, Perry became convinced that helping legitimize ibogaine should be his life’s mission.

— Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, as well as surveys of people's spiritual experiences and attitudes.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

That Dante lived during both the 13th and 14th centuries — and that Tosches’ movements as his novel’s protagonist take place at the start of the 21st century — means nothing in Schnabel’s meta-metaphysical realm.

— A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
The war on language is more metaphysical than just the policing of proper social justice terminology, Williams argues.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Followers of the Abrahamic religions are supposed to treat God as immaterial and incorporeal, yet these early Yahweh worshippers imagined him as fully embodied.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
Positioned as a large-scale genre event, the series updates the legendary SFX property with a contemporary political and social edge, with Shun Oguri leading the cast as a detective hunting a seemingly incorporeal killer.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026

Definition of incorporeal

Adjective

So, when companies that used to routinely print tens of billions in annual free cash flow start putting up immaterial sums — or even outflows — investors understandably start to be concerned.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
The live audience was immaterial as long as the jokes were funny.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of immaterial

Adjective

In Ayurveda, Prana, the life force carried by the breath, is understood to nourish both the mind and body and can be viewed as a nonphysical substance, finer than oxygen.

— Trisha Swift, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
In accounting, intangible assets are nonphysical possessions including such things as brands and intellectual property, software, mineral rights ‒ and contracts.

— Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Definition of nonphysical

Browse Nearby Words

nonmanual

nonmaterial

nonmaterialistic

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“Nonmaterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonmaterial. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonmaterial

adjective

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