material 1 of 2

material

2 of 2

adjective

1
2
3
4
5

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
Related Stories Ensuring textile-to-textile recycling reduces the environmental impact of fiber production hinges on both the type of material being recycled and the specific recycling technology used. Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 28 May 2025
Adjective
House and Senate Democrats urged top Trump administration officials to unlock additional legal tools that would allow the administration to disrupt the cartels' financial networks and impose harsher penalties on entities that provide material support to them. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 16 May 2025 While this landform may have dictated—in Wright’s mind—the obvious building site, its massing and material palette were entirely his invention. Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for material
Recent Examples of Synonyms for material
Noun
  • First and foremost is the potential for an MLB owners lockout after the 2026 season concludes, a disruption that would immediately impact revenue for a new owner.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • Then pair that with Chop Robinson’s second season, and Miami has the potential to possess a dangerous trio of pass rushers.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Kim's government has supplied Russia with thousands of troops and large shipments of military equipment, including artillery and ballistic missiles, to support its war effort.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
  • The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to celebrate the country’s military might.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The environmental scientist will help check the quality of local rivers, lakes and streams by testing water for physical, chemical and biological factors.
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
  • There isn’t any physical, material world in crypto.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • The intelligence teams gather during interviews preceding testing is just as important, if not more so.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Though the papal tiara, symbolizing spiritual, temporal and supreme power, is still revered, no pope has worn it since Paul VI (1963-1978), who sold his for charity.
    NBC News, NBC news, 18 May 2025
  • Those questions are, so often, temporal and corporeal.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • This universal approach has proven particularly relevant as luxury consumers become increasingly global in their outlook and lifestyle.
    Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
  • These advances in technology and methodology ensure that forecasts are more holistic and more relevant to the evolving risk landscape, helping decision-makers better prepare for the full range of storm threats.
    Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • The 36-year-old faces a charge of collision involving serious bodily injury, according to police records.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2025
  • The 1862 pension law allocated payouts in proportion to a soldier’s permanent bodily injury or disability caused by their service.
    Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The justices’ argument, however, largely hinged on questioning the physician plaintiffs’ right to sue the FDA to restore conditions rather than the substance of the case.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • So far, most of what’s known about the substance’s effects on the brain comes from studies in rats and in cells grown in a lab dish – not in people.
    Lorne J. Hofseth, The Conversation, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on material

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!