as in weighing
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 mattering
Psychologists, sociologists, and philosophers vary in their definitions of mattering, but at its core, mattering is the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world.
—
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
When age stopped mattering During the bourbon boom that accelerated after 2012, demand exploded faster than distilleries could age whiskey.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But why should that start mattering now?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
In other words, as Cleveland tore through the league last season, the players responded to most of the milestones reached with a collective shrug and worn axioms about nothing mattering until the playoffs.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
But as kids move into adolescence and gain more independence, friends start mattering more, filling the space previously held by parents and teachers.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
That may be why the Media Matters fight, which seems like just another front with a tangential player in the FTC's bigger battle, may end up mattering the most.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
Flett has come to understand mattering as a counterpoint to perfectionism, a more viable way to arrive at a sense of self-worth.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
When age stopped mattering During the bourbon boom that accelerated after 2012, demand exploded faster than distilleries could age whiskey.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But why should that start mattering now?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
In other words, as Cleveland tore through the league last season, the players responded to most of the milestones reached with a collective shrug and worn axioms about nothing mattering until the playoffs.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
But as kids move into adolescence and gain more independence, friends start mattering more, filling the space previously held by parents and teachers.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
That may be why the Media Matters fight, which seems like just another front with a tangential player in the FTC's bigger battle, may end up mattering the most.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
Flett has come to understand mattering as a counterpoint to perfectionism, a more viable way to arrive at a sense of self-worth.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mattering
Verb
-
Maryam Zar, who formed a community group to help guide the recovery from the Palisades fire, is also weighing a mayoral bid — and doesn’t plan to decide until the final day.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Analysts say Beijing may be weighing trade, investment and other measures to respond – and dissuade other countries in the region from taking similar steps.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The host cities are spread across Northern Italy without streamlined travel connection, meaning Finoff has had to bring extra staff and supplies to each site.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But mainly because the Dolphins must cut ties to the main principals of the Grier-McDaniel-Tua era, meaning ex-general manager Chris Grier, ex-coach Mike McDaniel and Tua.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mattering. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
