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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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Lucas Dufalla, arkansasonline.com, 28 Jan. 2025 But the state of the city in the wake of the pandemic has raised the question of whether a different kind of disinvestment—in people and their mental and material well-being—will cause the system to collapse before the next big rainfall would. Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
But doing so will not solve the underlying dilemma of how to balance increases in material consumption against the maintenance of environmental standards, equity in income distribution, and other hard-to-quantify social goals. Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025 What other credit puzzle pieces are missing in media accounts that could be material? Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for material 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • Both methods have the potential for mild side effects like redness and swelling.
    Cristina Mutchler, Health, 27 Jan. 2025
  • But overall, the impact has the potential to be profound and long-lasting.
    Samantha Mann, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Nearly 75% of swab samples taken from fitness equipment such as dumbbells, treadmills and exercise mats tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health.
    Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The final moments underscore a deeper message: the true key to effective trauma care is not just about having helicopters or advanced equipment, but about ensuring hospitals and medical teams are adequately funded and equipped to save lives under challenging conditions.
    Isadora Wandermurem, TIME, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • IDrive sends you a physical, temporary storage device that works directly with the desktop app.
    Robert Anderson, PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Wicker pointed to Samantha Hegseth’s statement denying that there was any physical abuse in the relationship.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In this paper, the researchers did not calculate how strong those differences are, but an important next step is to explore the observational consequences of this model.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2025
  • This year, with the Vancouver Canucks’ star forwards Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller are underperforming and goalie Thatcher Demko missing the first 24 games of the season with a knee injury, captain Quinn Hughes has become more important to his team than ever.
    Carol Schram, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And though Chen maneuvers every temporal and geographical shift, efforts to convey the political context of each new era can outweigh character development, undercutting the emotional breadth this story carries.
    Kayla Maiuri, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
  • For leaders, introducing intentional financial, temporal, or otherwise constraints can reignite creativity and urgency within stagnant teams.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • With first-party data becoming increasingly important for precise targeting, contextual strategies offer a way for advertisers to deliver relevant ads without relying on intrusive personal information.
    Tony Gonzalez, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Commentary on input costs and future plans on price hikes are relevant to the inflation story.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The adrenal glands produce various hormones, including adrenaline and noradrenaline, essential for different bodily functions.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
  • According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department's online inmate information, Hudson, 23, is facing charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, reckless homicide and neglect of a dependent.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Her lasting legacy is one of style, yes, but also substance—something that demands thoughtful, measured tribute, not mimicry.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Environmental factors, like growing up with substance use and mental health problems, instability due to a household member being incarcerated or growing up in a household with parental separation, can also impact children’s brain development and decision-making.
    Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near material

Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on material

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