material 1 of 2

noun

Definition of materialnext
1
as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed she's clearly movie star material

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in equipment
usually materials plural items needed for the performance of a task or activity I have all the materials to build the mobile

Synonyms & Similar Words

material

2 of 2

adjective

mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce material (audio)
1
as in physical
relating to or composed of matter there's no material evidence, such as a dead body, that a murder has been committed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having great meaning or lasting effect there's no material difference between the two designs for the skyscraper: one's as bad as the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mundane
having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven people who worry more about material concerns than about spiritual ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in relevant
having to do with the matter at hand that information, while fascinating, is not material to our discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bodily
of or relating to the human body material needs such as food and warmth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The printing process can also control how different materials are arranged, allowing different sections of an object to respond differently. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 In the sixties, artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Peter Saul had plundered lowbrow visual culture for elemental materials. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The analyst said first quarter results surprised to the upside before Foot Locker’s Fast Break store rollout reached material scale for back-to-school. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 The only reason for optimism should be material actions to rein in the sea of red ink. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
  1. potential
  2. equipment
  3. physical
  4. important
  5. mundane
  6. relevant
  7. bodily
  8. substance
Noun
  • Both had pro potential, but because of injury didn't end up in NFL camp.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The telescope's primary mission is expected to last five years, with a potential for a five-year extension.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of potential
Noun
  • Goldman expects China’s wafer fabrication equipment market to reach $53 billion in 2027.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Oilfield-services giant Halliburton is also in talks to bring equipment to the country, and executives from several oil-and-gas companies will sign production deals next week, the report added.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of equipment
Adjective
  • At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • That has changed quietly, with robots now performing important roles in operating rooms, hospital wards, rehabilitation centers, and corridors around the world.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Reseeding is particularly important in high-traffic areas or patches of the lawn where grubs, heat, or disease have left the turf thin.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • More empowerment, fewer mundane tasks What Smolnikov describes is a reduction of routine tasks related to translation and market adaptation.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The movie is wondrously attuned to the mundane, to the absurd humor and gentle devastation that lives in the everyday — and in so much of his work.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of mundane
Adjective
  • Winning longer term, Ngai said, requires investing in China to stay relevant in a giant consumer market — and consequently competitive in other countries where Chinese companies are expanding.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Abigail Witmer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of relevant
Adjective
  • Defense attorneys in both cases argued that the defendants’ intent was in question, raising in argument the possibility that their clients were not trying to cause serious bodily injury or death.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Both Walter and Lefever have pleaded not guilty to three counts of chronic neglect of a child causing great bodily harm and two counts of chronic neglect of a child causing emotional damage, his online records show.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bodily
Noun
  • This risk is increased markedly when buprenorphine is combined with other substances that depress the central nervous system, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, and certain sedating medications.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some undergo cosmetic procedures and reportedly inject their bodies with peptides, testosterone, and other substances that enhance their physiques.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of substance

Phrases Containing material

Browse Nearby Words

materfamiliases
material
materialism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on material

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about material

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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