materialistic

adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​is·​tic mə-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce materialistic (audio)
1
: overly concerned or preoccupied with material possessions rather than with intellectual or spiritual things
We had always watched The Beverly Hillbillies, and the Andy Griffith Show, where the country folks had to set things straight for the more materialistic city folk.Artie Ann Bates
Paying high prices for furniture and art is surely a reflection of an increasingly materialistic age.Carol Vogel
2
: of, relating to, or deriving from the theory or doctrine of materialism (see materialism sense 1)
With the so-called Enlightenment, however, a linear, reductionistic, and materialistic view of the universe arose.David Fideler
materialistically adverb
The sin of disobedience to the heavenly vision cannot be atoned for with dollars, and the spiritual loss is highly visible in a self-centered, materialistically minded people. Robertson McQuilkin

Examples of materialistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Saxon is all about getting off, and Piper is renouncing the materialistic. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025 In the finale, which aired on HBO on Sunday evening, fans see the other Ratliff siblings find self-realization, whether mildly profound (Saxon unearthed his more spiritual side and at least an inkling of a soul) or materialistic (Piper can’t settle for low thread count or non-organic food). Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 Saxon is all about getting off, and Piper is renouncing the materialistic. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025 Taurus season starts on April 19, and its materialistic earth sign energy will inspire you to buckle down and focus on your finances. Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for materialistic

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of materialistic was circa 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Materialistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialistic. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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