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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

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
The exterior is made from a sturdy and durable polycarbonate material that won’t easily wear and tear, even after longhaul travel. Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025 My most recent encounter with defective materials happened on my own outdoor deck. Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Fires are not a material risk, and neither are the crowds fleeing them. Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025 The film makes more than a token effort to explore the material and psychological realities of life under fascist rule, and the transformation of a charming agrarian utopia into an austere military dictatorship. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • Healthcare providers consider several factors, including your medical history, cost and insurance coverage, and the potential for side effects or drug interactions.
    Karen Berger, PharmD, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The potential for showers and thunderstorms in this region is expected to continue through the afternoon, with the threat ending Friday evening, forecasts show.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Rodent feces and urine were found in cabinets, on shelves, under equipment, on utensils, behind the soda fountain and in the walkways.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
  • An occupational therapist can work with you to find assistive devices and adaptive equipment to make these tasks easier.
    Janelle McSwiggin, MSN, Health, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Addressing both the mental and physical parts of grief is critical for healing.
    Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The 4-1 demolition of Manchester United showed Newcastle at their aggressive, physical and breathless best.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This Milan Design Week was an important one for Louis Vuitton.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This is massively important for both teams trying to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a limit, which could be discussed as a temporal one.
    News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When the master of timing departed our temporal world for a large and silent india-ink panel nine days shy of his 96th birthday, the cartoonist left behind an enormous body of work that still dances on the page.
    Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • OpenAI reports improvements in core competencies relevant to developers.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Meta has argued in court papers that its purchases of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 have benefited users, and that Zuckerberg's past statements are no longer relevant amid fierce competition from ByteDance's TikTok, Google's YouTube and Apple's messaging app.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Mosser’s office determined that none of the officers should be charged with using deadly force given the reasonable belief that the force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.
    Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This gap results in untreated conditions and higher health care costs, which contribute to issues such as homelessness and substance abuse.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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