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Definitions

materialism

[muh-teer-ee-uh-liz-uhm] / məˈtɪər i əˌlɪz əm /
NOUN
desire for possessions
Synonyms
Antonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Lamarck’s science was indeed revolutionary for its time, emphasizing nonreligious materialism and imagining a version of evolutionary change.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

"It's been crowded like this for the last couple of states," he told those in attendance, urging listeners to avoid "chasing materialism" and to abandon thoughts of greed, anger and hatred.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

“The idealism of the 1960s was yielding to the materialism of the 1980s, a new preoccupation with the navel-gazing, ego-stroking life,” Grynbaum writes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2025

"All our basic needs are taken care of. It is clean and peaceful – the children can play basketball or go swimming after school. We don't need shopping malls or all that materialism."

From BBC • May 20, 2025

I look around my table, and everyone seems completely fascinated as Ms. Smith introduces the book, telling us about Fitzgerald’s life and asking us for a definition of materialism.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon