as in meant
to be of importance
she believes that doing well in school really does matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 mattered
Having mapped out the most important meal of the day, DeCosta could now focus on what mattered most.
—
Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
None of it mattered, of course.
—Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
So, Friday is what mattered in the moment, for a short-handed team in the early stages of a potentially months-long postseason march.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
None of that mattered as much as Thursday’s late nonleague match against visiting Torrey Pines.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
In the early days of the conflict, what mattered most?
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Still, Hughes says the experience didn’t take away from what mattered most.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The game shouldn’t have mattered.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Newton said the timing of the discovery mattered.
—Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
None of it mattered, of course.
—Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
So, Friday is what mattered in the moment, for a short-handed team in the early stages of a potentially months-long postseason march.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
None of that mattered as much as Thursday’s late nonleague match against visiting Torrey Pines.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
In the early days of the conflict, what mattered most?
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Still, Hughes says the experience didn’t take away from what mattered most.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The game shouldn’t have mattered.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Newton said the timing of the discovery mattered.
—Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mattered
Verb
-
British monarchs are subject to rules and norms meant to prevent them from taking overtly political stands.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At that point, assistant states’ attorneys were arguing that Talley’s past criminal history meant he should be held pending trial for a pair of April 2025 charges alleging armed robbery and carjacking.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The association last year weighed the possibility of allowing athletes and coaches to bet on pro sports but decided against that change in the wake of high-profile betting scandals involving NBA and MLB players.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Before anybody could analyze what had happened, Ferdinand, carrying a jockey who probably never weighed 100 pounds in his career — thanks to the birth advantage Downey so aptly pointed out years later — was cruising past the leaders and sailing home a winner.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mattered. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
