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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

This unfettered access — which can be challenging to find among human gurus — is what’s drawing more people to AI for spiritual guidance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The now-familiar blend of folk, soul, and psychedelia dominates the album aesthetically, though James took spiritual cues from recordings of meditative organ performances by Alice Coltrane.

— Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

Eddy has been spared the worst violence; the novel casts his racial privilege as a kind of metaphysical exemption.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
There seems to be a deliberate effort here to make the show more fun without dumbing down its metaphysical and philosophical implications.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 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

But that doesn’t mean what happens along the way is immaterial.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
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

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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nonmaterial

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes