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Definition of matternext
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as in vicinity
an approximate amount, extent, or degree a simple meal that can be prepared in a matter of 20 to 30 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

matter

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verb

as in to mean
to be of importance she believes that doing well in school really does matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 matter
Noun
Visitors should be cautious about going into a sea cave without a guide, as a swell can flow into it and dramatically raise the water level in a matter of seconds, pushing kayaks into rocks and leaving little air for those trapped inside. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026 As for the Oregon State matter, Bjornstad and Richardson previewed Dam Nation’s claims in an interview last month with sports journalist John Canzano, while arguing that Blueprint had effectively been forced upon Bjornstad by Oregon State officials. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
At a moment when media literacy feels increasingly fragile worldwide, that hesitation from someone as beloved as Serkis matters. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026 The timing matters for Spinnova. Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter
Noun
  • But topics also veer off to the mundane.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Game 5 showed two things at once.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Rubbing the compost against the screen with a gloved hand will help things along.
    Jessica Damiano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Prizes of $600 or higher can be collected at any California State Lottery district office or by mail.
    Don Sweeney April 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
    Kent Thiry, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Third-rounder Keagen Trost could help improve the depth of the offensive line, but the Rams really could use another impact wide receiver given Davante Adams’ age and Puka Nacua’s off-field problems.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Be clear about what matters, then test small changes that won’t create bigger problems later.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The expedition became the first spaceflight to send humans near the vicinity of the moon in more than 50 years, with the crew traveling farther from Earth than any humans before them while seeing unprecedented views of the moon.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Homes in the vicinity have been evacuated and members of the public are advised to avoid the area, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Sunday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That means ballots are set and in some states early and absentee voting has already begun.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • British monarchs are subject to rules and norms meant to prevent them from taking overtly political stands.
    Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The agency did not directly address whether the transition could affect service continuity, instead directing questions about services to the county, which will take over many programs.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The most prominent question is his slight 6-foot, 181-pound frame.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The one issue for Banchero, and the Magic in general, was free-throw shooting.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • But the creators of The Longest Table project are hoping to make a dent in what the World Health Organization has identified as a significant public health issue when the free public community event rolls into Miami on Friday.
    Connie Ogle April 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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