1
as in metaphysical
not composed of matter
a staunch skeptic and realist, he scoffs at the very notion of ghosts and other spiritual entities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in religious
of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion
spiritual songs that have been sung by generations of worshippers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hymn
a religious song
sang a spiritual at the funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of spiritual
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The Norwegian princess married the spiritual guru in a three-day wedding in Norway in August 2024 in a celebration attended by family and friends, including her royal relatives.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Leo had refrained from any political commentary about guns in America, sending a telegram of condolence that focused exclusively on the spiritual.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiritual
Adjective
Malice added a spiritual perspective.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The Norwegian princess married the spiritual guru in a three-day wedding in Norway in August 2024 in a celebration attended by family and friends, including her royal relatives.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The music, much of it consisting of Shaker spirituals rearranged by Daniel Blumberg (who won an Oscar for last year’s The Brutalist, directed by Fastvold’s husband and co-writer Brady Corbet), is lyrical, emotional, sometimes even angry.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Leo had refrained from any political commentary about guns in America, sending a telegram of condolence that focused exclusively on the spiritual.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritual
Adjective
-
Best Gifts for Pisces Dreamy Pisces are creative and spiritual, so a journal, art set, or metaphysical kit with all of the essentials for a seance is a great gift idea.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The fantastic is used to sketch out familiar story lines, but the metaphysical premise remains as vague as the dramatic stakes in the lives of the characters.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Her parents emphasized religious training, sending the children to Catholic elementary schools.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
After years of advocating to expand private and religious education and homeschooling, using tax dollars, a cadre of conservative activists is in a position to push forward its agenda.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On Saturday nights, when the Jewish Sabbath ends, Elia chants the zemirot, the traditional table hymns.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Attendees bowed their head in prayer and sang along to hymns, while posters of Kirk lined the seats.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Through the artist’s brush, ordinary moments feel almost sacred.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In the real world, this could look like strengthening a partnership through thoughtful gestures, receiving a windfall of support from family or finding joy in everyday rituals that suddenly feel sacred.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Five months later, the anthem’s backdrop had become especially charged.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Sabrina Carpenter is her perfect foil in the title anthem, a tribute to the showgirl’s code, starring Taylor as a fictional dance-hall trooper named Kitty, hiding her pain behind lipstick and lace.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The clandestine systems of social and psychic control Pynchon examined in his novels were looked at from the point of view of the end result in Wallace—paranoia, depression, anxiety, anger with no vent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The original series ran from 2012 to 2015 via Dark Horse and was a heady and experimental mix of spies, rogue agents, and psychic powers.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Revered by all three Abrahamic religions, the psalms were often recited, read, and sung in routine worship.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Archbishop Bernard Hebda addressed some 2,000 people at the vigil, where psalms were sung and the silences burrowed deep in the wide room.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Twin Cities,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This discovery unveils a supernatural mystery.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Indy immediately senses something doesn't feel right and tries to protect Todd from a supernatural force that threatens their lives.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritual. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share