mystical

adjective mys·ti·cal \ ˈmis-ti-kəl \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of mystical

1 a : having a spiritual meaning or reality that is neither apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence

the mystical food of the sacrament

b : involving or having the nature of an individual's direct subjective communion with God or ultimate reality

the mystical experience of the Inner Light

2 : mysterious, unintelligible

3 a : mystic 2

b : mystic 3

—

mystically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See mystical defined for English-language learners

See mystical defined for kids

Examples of mystical in a Sentence

He has a mystical [mystic union with God.
She says that the symbol has mystical powers.
the deep, almost mystical quality of her poetry
a mystical journey in search of God
mystical knowledge of the spirit world

Recent Examples of mystical from the Web

Sufis might feel it during mystical moments, other Muslims on the Hajj pilgrimage.

— daniel burke, CNN, "Seeing the Pope help strangers made me tear up. Later I learned why.," 6 Apr. 2018
Trigger warning: Lots of heaving boobs and mystical Asians ahead.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: Target Settles Bias Suit, New Deadly Force Bill Introduced," 6 Apr. 2018
What these ways of thinking have in common, Mr Snyder argues, is a quasi-mystical belief in the destiny of nations and rulers, which sets aside the need to observe laws or procedures, or grapple with physical realities.

— The Economist, "Understand Putin by understanding his favourite thinkers," 5 Apr. 2018
Rhetorical appeals to the brain’s amazing complexity, furthermore, lead easily to a mystical acceptance of its ineffability.

— steven poole, WSJ, "‘The Biological Mind’ Review: Identify Your Self," 5 Apr. 2018
Iran's clerically overseen government frowns on Sufism, the mystical strain of Islam.

— Fox News, "Report: Supporter of Sufi leader sentenced to death," 4 Apr. 2018
One potentially divisive change: The rock trolls are now mystical Hidden Folk, creatures from Scandinavian folklore summoned by a tribal chant.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "The PEOPLE Review: Disney's Frozen Melts Hearts on Broadway," 23 Mar. 2018
The Canadians have an almost mystical quality about them.

— michael rosenberg, SI.com, "U.S. Women Claim Hockey Gold, Defeating Archrival Canada in a Game for the Ages," 22 Feb. 2018
What was once seen as an almost mystical endeavor to advance the species has threatened to devolve into a series of naked power grabs.

— jason tanz, WIRED, "It's Going to Be A While Till We Find 'The Next Steve Jobs'," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mystical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mystical

¹mystic + ¹-al

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

MYSTICAL Defined for English Language Learners

mystical

adjective

Definition of mystical for English Language Learners

: having a spiritual meaning that is difficult to see or understand
: of or relating to mystics or mysticism : resulting from prayer or deep thought

MYSTICAL Defined for Kids

mystical

adjective mys·ti·cal \ ˈmi-sti-kəl \

Definition of mystical for Students

: having a spiritual meaning that is difficult to see or understand

a mystical symbol

Learn More about mystical

Spanish Central: Translation of mystical Nglish: Translation of mystical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mystical for Arabic speakers

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mystical

Definition of mystical

mystically

Examples of mystical in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mystical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mystical

Other Occult Terms

MYSTICAL Defined for English Language Learners

mystical

Definition of mystical for English Language Learners

MYSTICAL Defined for Kids

mystical

Definition of mystical for Students

Learn More about mystical

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mystical

Definition of mystical

mystically

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mystical

Definition of mystical for English Language Learners

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