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
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Wideout Jeremiah Smith is something of a metaphysical wonder.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Vendors will offer beads, minerals, gemstones, custom jewelry, fossils, artifacts, and metaphysical stones.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
The surrounding wave paintings add emotional turbulence, invoking both the physical might and metaphysical vastness of the sea.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
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Adjective
Gleason, famously fascinated with UFOs and metaphysical theory, dreamed up the circular home that embodied futuristic ambition while showcasing old-fashioned craftsmanship.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Wideout Jeremiah Smith is something of a metaphysical wonder.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Vendors will offer beads, minerals, gemstones, custom jewelry, fossils, artifacts, and metaphysical stones.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
The surrounding wave paintings add emotional turbulence, invoking both the physical might and metaphysical vastness of the sea.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 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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