philosophical
adjective
phil·o·soph·i·cal
ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-kəl 
also -ˈzä-
variants
or less commonly philosophic
ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fik
also -ˈzä-
1
a
: of or relating to philosophers or philosophy
b
: based on philosophy
2
: characterized by the attitude of a philosopher
specifically
: calm or unflinching in the face of trouble, defeat, or loss
Examples of philosophical in a Sentence
They got into a philosophical debate about what it means for something to be “natural.”
He's trying to be philosophical about their decision since he knows he can't change it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jefferson rooted the Declaration in natural philosophy, or the philosophical study of nature and the physical universe without consideration of supernatural causes.
—
Time, 1 July 2025
Barry Lam teaches in the philosophy department at the University of California, Riverside, and hosts a popular podcast, Hi-Phi Nation, which applies philosophical modes of inquiry to everyday topics.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Colin Quinn Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield Colin Quinn has a unique gift for spinning what sounds like idle bar talk into sweeping philosophical statements about the human condition.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
However, organisms grow, change, and evolve over time, and estimating an organism’s true size is, to some degree, a philosophical question of where one individual ends and another begins.
—Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for philosophical
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Time, 1 July 2025
Barry Lam teaches in the philosophy department at the University of California, Riverside, and hosts a popular podcast, Hi-Phi Nation, which applies philosophical modes of inquiry to everyday topics.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Colin Quinn Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield Colin Quinn has a unique gift for spinning what sounds like idle bar talk into sweeping philosophical statements about the human condition.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
However, organisms grow, change, and evolve over time, and estimating an organism’s true size is, to some degree, a philosophical question of where one individual ends and another begins.
—Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for philosophical
Cite this Entry
“Philosophical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philosophical. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share