MATERIAL Synonyms: 259 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

material 1 of 2

noun

Definition of material

as in potential

the basic elements from which something can be developed she's clearly movie star material

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the barn, Raad has assiduously organized ephemeral materials like wall labels from his exhibitions and name cards from dinners he’s attended, all fodder that may or may not become an artwork in the future. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 There’s even a handy pocket to hold your smartphone, headphones, and other tiny in-flight essentials, and its plush material is cozy to snuggle up to. — Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2026

Adjective

That nonprofit group has been building resilience in lower-resource countries for over a decade, dispatching coaches and mentors to educate and train local healthcare students and practitioners as well as building financial and material resources. — Diane Cole, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 Generally, you’re only required to disclose material facts about the home—which include things like structural damage or pest infestations—and paranormal activity isn’t considered a material fact. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for material

Recent Examples of Synonyms for material

Noun

Its long-term commercial potential will depend on whether the technology performs as expected.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
What’s also clear is the military sees the potential of nuclear as the most reliable and steady power source for the future.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of potential

Noun

Federal policy now allows businesses to deduct domestic research costs immediately, leaving more capital available for engineers, prototypes, and equipment.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
There was little in the way of heavy equipment immediately available.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of equipment

Adjective

Her physical absence changes nothing about the circumstances of our friendship.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
This is just a normal part of growing older, according to conventional wisdom, as if aging were a one-way street of physical decline.

— Leana S. Wen, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of physical

Adjective

Helium plays an important role in wind, solar and nuclear energy production, space exploration, medical imaging and research.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Education and giving back are important values to the family as the project represents for them a broader impact within the natural diamond industry.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of important

Adjective

Natalie Dattilo Psychologist Between regular exposure to the mundane and increased access to everything else, worries stack — and so does stress and anxiety.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Even Santos’ mundane stories sound like character-building arcs in a rugged epic, never mind the ones involving animal run-ins.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of mundane

Adjective

These capabilities were particularly relevant during the final 103 meters (338 feet) of construction on the Shangri-La side tower.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
The reforms are designed for children and teenagers, but touch on a psychological phenomenon just as relevant to adults.

— Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of relevant

Adjective

The office’s misdemeanor section is a development ground and steppingstone for young prosecutors who take mostly DWIs and assault causing bodily injury to a family member cases to trial.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
MacIntosh also points out that the fecal avoidance experiment bears little connection to how the initial outbreak spread, through bodily fluids transmitted through scratches or bites.

— Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of bodily

Noun

For Washington, the primary task is not only to mediate the substance of a deal but also to learn how to choreograph negotiations amid ongoing military action.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Running Tide had struggled to grow kelp offshore at scale and shifted toward deployments of wood chips mixed with alkaline substances, said former general manager Kristinn Hróbjartsson.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of substance

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Style

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/material. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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adjective

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Synonyms of material

noun

adjective

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