meta·phys·i·cal
ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl 
1
: of or relating to metaphysics
metaphysical truth
metaphysical speculation
2
a
: of or relating to the transcendent (see transcendent sense 1) or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses
fleeing from experience to a metaphysical realm—
John Dewey
John Dewey
b
: supernatural
fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: highly abstract or abstruse
4
often capitalized
: of or relating to poetry especially of the early 17th century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and marked by unconventional figurative language
metaphysical poets
: a metaphysical poet of the 17th century
Examples of metaphysical in a Sentence
Adjective
a metaphysical world of spirits
a work that deals with such metaphysical questions as the very nature of knowledge
Recent Examples on the Web
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
But now, almost five years after the pandemic, what exactly is driving this metaphysical renaissance?
—Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
As the music soars, that life-death veil is pierced, crossing both metaphysical and temporal boundaries.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
So, home became metaphysical, not a place, but a state of being.
—Courtney Crowder, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
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Adjective
The song borders on the absurd, but its faith in the metaphysical properties of a melody is infectious.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
But now, almost five years after the pandemic, what exactly is driving this metaphysical renaissance?
—Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
As the music soars, that life-death veil is pierced, crossing both metaphysical and temporal boundaries.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
So, home became metaphysical, not a place, but a state of being.
—Courtney Crowder, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
Cite this Entry
“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphysical. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metaphysical
adjective
meta·phys·i·cal
ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-i-kəl
1
: of, relating to, or based on metaphysics
3
: difficult to understand : abstract
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