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 temporal
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
When cleaning the outside of sneakers made of mixed materials, opt for spot cleaning to preserve the integrity of the material. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 7 June 2025 Linen Dress Most Europeans will tell you that linen is the most important material to travel with during the summer, so this 100-percent European linen dress is a must-have for Como. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
Adjective
Drawing inspiration from Tabassum’s native Bangladesh—from its culture of park-going to the arched garden canopies that filter soft daylight through green foliage—the structure shifts gently between interior and exterior, between material tactility and openness, light and shadow, height and volume. —Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 But Lijn’s poem machines dissolve the material words printed on them; thus meaning also vanishes. —Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
  1. potential
  2. equipment
  3. physical
  4. important
  5. temporal
  6. relevant
  7. bodily
  8. substance
Noun
  • The potential for chaos and confusion in an evacuation became all-too-apparent last December, when a magnitude 7 earthquake struck about 30 miles off the Humboldt County coast.
    — Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • There is helium potential in young slot receivers Calvin Austin, 26, and Roman Wilson, 23.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Definition of potential
Noun
  • The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to celebrate the country’s military might.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • To tackle the communication problems that comes after events like hurricanes, the MOVE USA Radio team Helped MOVE PR volunteers to become licensed ham radio operators and provided radio equipment for each of the modular kits including a portable antenna designed by MOVE USA volunteers.
    — Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of equipment
Adjective
  • Before security personnel are even assembled, the U.S. will need to take a detailed look at the situation, both the wider political context and the immediate physical concerns around the embassy.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025
  • Translating a physical place into perfume is no small feat.
    — Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Robb Report, 15 June 2025
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • But what’s even more important is how the couple got together in the first place.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • This is one of the most important services of their lives.
    — Buddha Lo, People.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of important
Adjective
  • The people who had higher negativity bias were found to have reduced blood flow in the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes — regions critical for decision-making, memory and emotional regulation, according to Amen.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
  • Stories offer a generosity of space—temporal, emotional, political—that real-time clinical work does not.
    — Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
Definition of temporal
Adjective
  • While 81 years seems like a long time ago, the heroism and inventiveness displayed by Owens then is still seen as relevant today.
    — Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
  • People with greater levels of social engagement have more robust gray matter in regions of the brain relevant in dementia. 4.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Definition of relevant
Adjective
  • The scenes usually have McKinnon discussing surprise bodily entanglements she’s had with her captors and have proven popular enough that even Meryl Streep has taken part in one that was shown during the program’s 50th anniversary special this year.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 12 June 2025
  • Djuna Bostick, 59, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse by a willful act or omission causing serious bodily injury, according to the Hamlet Police Department.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
Definition of bodily
Noun
  • Evacuations prompted The blaze prompted several evacuations, including Shamong's Costello Preparatory Academy, a state-run community home for males with a history of substance abuse.
    — Jim Walsh, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • The terminations include at least 160 clinical trials involving areas such as HIV/AIDS, mental health conditions, cancer, substance use, and chronic diseases.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
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 18 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on material

Nglish: Translation of material for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about material

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