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 Metaphysical
: 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
Synonyms of metaphysical
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
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2026
The nature of their bond also lends the movie its metaphysical dimension.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Or from whatever this risibly self-serious metaphysical nonsense about performance and possession, creation and exorcism, aims to be.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
The movie addresses metaphysical questions such as the egregore of a generation, the nature of evil, and the search for God in times of His absence.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
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Adjective
Glenn Turner Turner is a leftist Oakland activist who retired after running a metaphysical and pagan shop for 30 years.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2026
The nature of their bond also lends the movie its metaphysical dimension.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Or from whatever this risibly self-serious metaphysical nonsense about performance and possession, creation and exorcism, aims to be.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
The movie addresses metaphysical questions such as the egregore of a generation, the nature of evil, and the search for God in times of His absence.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
Cite this Entry
“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphysical. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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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