transcendent

adjective

tran·scen·dent | \ tran(t)-ˈsen-dənt

Definition of transcendent

1a : exceeding usual limits : surpassing

b : extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience

c in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge

2 : being beyond comprehension

3 : transcending the universe or material existence — compare immanent sense 2

4 : universally applicable or significant the antislavery movement … recognized the transcendent importance of liberty— L. H. Tribe

Other Words from transcendent Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about transcendent

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Did You Know?

The Latin verb scandere means "to climb", so transcend has the basic meaning of climbing so high that you cross some boundary. A transcendent experience is one that takes you out of yourself and convinces you of a larger life or existence; in this sense, it means something close to "spiritual". The American writers and thinkers known as the Transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, believed in the unity of all creation, the basic goodness of humankind, and the superiority of spiritual vision over mere logic. When we speak of the transcendent importance of an issue such as climate change, we may mean that everything else on earth actually depends on it.

Examples of transcendent in a Sentence

a firm belief in angels, demons, and other transcendent beings the star player's transcendent performance helped the team to a surprise victory

Recent Examples on the Web

It's being humbled and frustrated and giddy and miserable and transcendent and exhausted, all in a span of five minutes. — Jessica Levy, Good Housekeeping, "I'm a Stay-at-Home Mom Because I Don't Want to Miss a Single Moment," 6 Sep. 2015 All of humanity was finally coming to recognize the transcendent principles of democratic liberty and equality—or so many observers concluded. — Roberto Stefan Foa And Yascha Mounk, WSJ, "When Democracy Is No Longer the Only Path to Prosperity," 1 Mar. 2019 Perhaps the biggest is that the most transcendent star, Rose, flamed out. — K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "20 years since dissolution of the dynasty, Bulls still a long way from the top," 10 June 2018 For the next four minutes, Franklin delivers a transcendent performance, full of every element and characteristic that makes her the Queen of Soul. — Naima Cochrane, Vox, "Aretha Franklin’s long reign as the Queen of Soul, explained in 12 performances," 16 Aug. 2018 The combination of some of the most pristine seafood on the planet, together with 400-plus years of know-how, and sleek Japanese aesthetics, makes having sushi here an almost transcendent experience. — Melinda Joe, Condé Nast Traveler, "22 Best Places for Sushi in Tokyo," 27 Feb. 2018 Woods is a singular figure, transcendent first as a young, multiracial sensation who was promised as a world conqueror—and then went out and conquered the world. — Jason Gay, WSJ, "There’s Tiger Woods—Then There’s Everyone Else," 24 Sep. 2018 So this is Divac's chance to take another swing at finding his transcendent star. — Jason Jones, sacbee, "The fate of Vlade Divac and the Kings hinges on getting this draft right," 20 June 2018 The two young drivers with the skill and personality to become a transcendent star? — Brendan Marks, charlotteobserver, "Can NASCAR’s biggest problems be repaired? Petty, Gordon and other legends weigh in | Charlotte Observer," 31 Mar. 2018

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