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
Noack has not been responsive, and his campaign materials feel rote. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 During the summer, the San Francisco Standard, a nonprofit news site, got hold of material from a Signal chat that a group of billionaires had formed to discuss the ballot measure. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Despite their tricolor colorways, each pair is predominantly tonal, with the Enigma Stone look taking on a tan shade throughout its multi-material upper which blends leather and mesh with suede panels on the two bottommost side panels. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 This multi-material capability gives greater design flexibility to tailor the performance, versatility, and shape of complex components. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 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
  • Unsurprisingly, Altman, 41, is a true believer in the society-changing potential of AI.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Remember the thought that new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel would unlock all the potential of Herbert?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of potential
Noun
  • The island becoms a military node Keen Sword will also establish a joint coordination center at the Yonaguni garrison, where Japanese and US forces will conduct island-defense exercises and coordinate with equipment deployed at other locations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Broadly, the idea is that consumers and small shops should have access to the tools, parts and information needed to repair their own electronic devices, farm equipment and cars, among other things.
    — Robert Ferris, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of equipment
Adjective
  • Read Full Review Designed to tie in the five elements and the five senses, this Greek idyll is built into a mountain and has a large spherical pool as its physical and spiritual center.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There is humiliation here, claustrophobia, physical vulnerability and an intimacy that occasionally brushes against the erotic.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • While a push east for Marib would get the Houthis the most resources, a southern push appears to be more strategically important for the time being.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of important
Adjective
  • Sometimes, this is rewarded with the comfortingly mundane, a mash-up of bird and traffic sounds, for instance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Fast-forward to today and the basic sensor package has become almost mundane.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of mundane
Adjective
  • The latest phase includes six deliverables focused on demonstrating the full-scale Seaglider prototype in operationally relevant environments and advancing its integration into defense operations.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Tzachi Zach 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.
    — Tzachi Zach, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of relevant
Adjective
  • Those range from the macro-industrial such as aircraft parts and underwater pipelines to the micro-medical such as stents that prop open bodily channels for bodily fluids.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Much like how John Cage had tuned in to hear silence full of sound, Paxton tuned the dancer’s attention inward, to perceive bodily stillness full of internal micro-movements.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bodily
Noun
  • The Journal noted how Moore, then Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator, gave several players hits of the substance during the first quarter of Michigan’s victory over Ohio State earlier that year.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chemists knew that for such a reaction to occur, the catalyst (the substance that drives the reaction) would have to have a specific chirality (handedness) itself.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on material

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about material

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