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-

Synonyms of philosophical next

: of or relating to philosophers or philosophy

: based on philosophy

: characterized by the attitude of a philosopher

specifically : calm or unflinching in the face of trouble, defeat, or loss

philosophically

ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-k(ə-)lē

also -ˈzä-

adverb

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 Where Savior Complex is an evenhanded investigation of facts, The Mission is an engrossing philosophical exploration — a personalized profile of a particularly aggressive brand of Christianity. —

Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2023 This should be accompanied by a philosophical smile and a shrug. —

Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2023 That this is Corban’s final screen role makes his character’s philosophical observations on aging all the more poignant. —

Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2023 Going to the cinema would become like reading poetry or listening to LPs on vinyl: a niche activity, the expression of a cultural stance that combined aesthetic principle, philosophical protest and just a hint of preciousness. —

A.o. Scott, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2023 Later, René Descartes’ faith—and fear of Catholic Inquisitors—helped ensure that the West’s philosophical underpinnings carried into the scientific and industrial revolutions this deprecation of the world. —

Carl Safina, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023 Snooze until the world’s smartest man with a Tweety Bird avatar has successfully justified my death through an online philosophical debate with strangers. —

Brandon Follick, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2023 Asked after the briefing about those prospects, the senator was philosophical. —

Peter Marks, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023 The answer to that last one, at least, is less philosophical, more practical, and something Jerry Harrison is happy to wax poetic on. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'philosophical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.