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material

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word material different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of material are applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When is it sensible to use applicable instead of material?

The synonyms applicable and material are sometimes interchangeable, but applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

When might apposite be a better fit than material?

In some situations, the words apposite and material are roughly equivalent. However, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

When is apropos a more appropriate choice than material?

Although the words apropos and material have much in common, apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When could germane be used to replace material?

While in some cases nearly identical to material, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When can pertinent be used instead of material?

The words pertinent and material can be used in similar contexts, but pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

Where would relevant be a reasonable alternative to material?

The meanings of relevant and material largely overlap; however, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

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 material
Noun
Los Angeles is nearly four months removed from the wildfires that destroyed more than 18,000 homes and structures in January, but much of the damage remains — both emotional and material. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 Products were pulled from shelves over undeclared allergens and foreign material contamination. Jenna Anderson, Health, 2 May 2025
Adjective
President Donald Trump has threatened to walk away from the process unless material progress is made very soon. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 Relationships and feelings are taking up the bulk of your bandwidth right now, but the full moon on May 12 pulls your attention onto more material matters. Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • As Pluto retrogrades in Aquarius, the potential for shocking revelations is at its peak.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 May 2025
  • Putting any more pressure on myself won’t help me to extract more potential out of myself.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The agency does more than just give out money: FEMA deploys experts in disaster response and recovery and maintains stockpiles of emergency equipment.
    Simmone Shah, Time, 2 May 2025
  • The festival will feature displays of Army equipment, military demonstrations, musical performances, and a fitness competition.
    Luis Martinez, ABC News, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Teams from outside England also seem to struggle with Arsenal’s sheer athleticism — certainly Real Madrid struggled to keep pace with their physical output in the quarter-final.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Studios plans to continue releasing Hong Kong Cinema Classics in both digital and physical formats beyond these initial offerings.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Three Key Lessons: Pareek’s Insights into Innovation Over the course of his career, Pareek has learned many important lessons.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • During his papacy, Francis successfully used that authority to shift the global political agenda on important issues of social and economic justice—as well as climate change.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The camerlengo also administers the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See until a new pope is chosen.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike image or text generation, music operates within strict temporal and structural constraints.
    Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Davidson’s honest, no-filter approach and die-hard love for Axe made this partnership culturally relevant between the two entities.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Please stop trying to become relevant by misrepresenting my son.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tune into any bodily responses (ease, tension, vitality, etc.).
    Nancy Zamierowski, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • That’s why Florida must implement mandatory bodily injury (BI) liability insurance.
    Richard D Schuler, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Alarcon, meanwhile, has been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Under homeless services, respondents said the greatest need was for more help with substance abuse and mental and behavioral health.
    Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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