as in mercenary
having or marked by interest in material possessions as opposed to intellectual or spiritual things
His essay criticises the materialistic culture of today's world.
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Recent Examples of materialistic
Mafalda has friends who variously embody conservative family values and the values of materialistic, upwardly mobile immigrants.
—
Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
Neither one can entirely remain an island, though Vadim veritably cultivates an estrangement from his stuffy, materialistic son Peter (Vladimir Vdovichenkov).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Ninety percent of Americans surveyed by the Center for Biological Diversity agree that the holidays should be less materialistic.
—Drew Gerber, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
These frugal shoppers’ desire for simplicity is growing out of larger movements that seek to reduce consumption to protect the environment and nurture a less materialistic culture.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for materialistic 
Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
Neither one can entirely remain an island, though Vadim veritably cultivates an estrangement from his stuffy, materialistic son Peter (Vladimir Vdovichenkov).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Ninety percent of Americans surveyed by the Center for Biological Diversity agree that the holidays should be less materialistic.
—Drew Gerber, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
These frugal shoppers’ desire for simplicity is growing out of larger movements that seek to reduce consumption to protect the environment and nurture a less materialistic culture.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for materialistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for materialistic
Adjective
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In September 2024, Maduro announced the arrest of five Americans during a crackdown launched by Venezuela’s socialist regime to dismantle what the government claims is a mercenary force assembled by the CIA and Spain’s intelligence service to topple Maduro.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2025
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The conference — which draws child-abuse pediatricians, social workers, police officers and prosecutors — featured multiple presentations that cast doctors who testify for the defense as both ill informed and mercenary.—
Kirsten Potter Krish Seenivasan David Mason,
New York Times,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Even seemingly superficial exchanges have deeper meaning. Need a break?—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
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What’s emanating out of her is this quiet, intense truth, coupled with this incredible, superficial vulnerability.—
William Earl,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The greedy wizard had an idea to build beautiful hotels and homes.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2025
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But that’s not the way of most corporate America, despite the endless pushing by greedy bankers and lawyers who don’t have enough work to do to maintain their admittedly lavish lifestyles versus pretty much the rest of the country’s work force.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near materialistic
Cite this Entry
“Materialistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/materialistic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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