material 1 of 2

Definition of materialnext

material

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adjective

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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

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
Every artist stressed the importance of respecting the source material while finding opportunities to innovate. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026 Toxic material from the fire fell with rain, covering several districts of Tuapse with a black layer of dirt, the region’s emergency headquarters reported. Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The complaint states that the anticipated participation of Messi constituted a material term of the agreements, forming a central component of the contracts and directly tied to the commercial viability of the matches. Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Through anthropological analysis, circumstantial and material evidence, and multiple forms of DNA and genome testing, the DPAA was able to positively identify a set of remains as belonging to Chavez. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • But what most excites astrophysicists is Roman’s potential for answering some of their biggest questions about the universe itself.
    Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
  • What started as a casual Instagram post quickly evolved into a rare crossover moment, with American and Brazilian volleyball stars flooding the comments to weigh in on 13-year-old Vivian Lake’s potential.
    Ryan Brennan April 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Bose pros Bose products are known for their rich sound, and although Bose is a top audio equipment brand, many of them are more affordable than Sonos equivalents.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The equipment did not provide a warning the night of the collision since the fire trucks did not have transponders and were only partially picked up by ground radar.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Everything down to gear strategy had to account for the physical toll that seven marathons would inevitably have on her body.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
  • This was the old Magic — the nasty, physical, suffocating defensive team that made every possession feel like work.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • While the handling of the outburst by BAFTA and the BBC wasn’t ideal for anyone involved, the outrage and fallout from the event shows that Davidson’s lifelong mission to educate the wider population about Tourette syndrome is ongoing, and so important.
    Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Continuing the momentum with frequent Artemis launches is important to maintain support for the program.
    Thomas Black, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Internal drama — employee hook-ups, power plays, longstanding grudges — share space with the mix of the mundane and the outrageous that constitutes a typical day in a typical big-city emergency department.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Being a minimalist doesn’t mean your decor is mundane.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The application states the board wants someone with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, including teaching, building and central office leadership.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Singer Pink’s cervical disc replacement has drawn wide attention to a procedure that may be directly relevant for anyone living with persistent neck pain, arm tingling or numbness that won’t quit.
    Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The researchers also found that being young, female, and well educated increased the odds that someone would be moist averse, as did being disgusted more generally by bodily functions.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • He is also accused of entering her home to commit an offense and unlawfully removing her in order to inflict bodily injury or terrorize her.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Five more locations are in the works throughout the county, and those kiosks are expected to be installed by the end of the year, said Seth Middleton, Jackson County Public Health’s senior program manager of substance use prevention.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
  • According to Hatters-Friedman’s research, fathers who commit filicide are more likely to have a previous history of violence, substance abuse and mental illness.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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