Synonyms of corporeal

corporeal

adjective

kȯr-ˈpȯr-ē-əl 

as in physical

of or relating to the human body

corporeal cravings such as hunger and thirst

Synonyms & Similar Words

• physical
• bodily
• somatic
• animal
• corporal
• physiological
• anatomic
• carnal
• material
• sensual
• fleshly
• sensuous
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mental
• psychological
• inner
• intellectual
• cerebral
• spiritual
• nonphysical
• immaterial
• nonmaterial
• metaphysical
• incorporeal
• psychic
• ethereal
• insubstantial
• bodiless

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective corporeal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of corporeal are material, objective, phenomenal, physical, and sensible. While all these words mean "of or belonging to actuality," corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

When can material be used instead of corporeal?

The meanings of material and corporeal largely overlap; however, material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

When is objective a more appropriate choice than corporeal?

While the synonyms objective and corporeal are close in meaning, objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

In what contexts can phenomenal take the place of corporeal?

While in some cases nearly identical to corporeal, phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

When is it sensible to use physical instead of corporeal?

The words physical and corporeal can be used in similar contexts, but physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

When would sensible be a good substitute for corporeal?

The synonyms sensible and corporeal are sometimes interchangeable, but sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of corporeal

Voldemort only appears in Rowling's novel as a grotesque face growing out of another character's head in that first book, and doesn't receive a full-bodied corporeal form until the climax of the fourth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025

They are not meant to represent a particular person or gender, but a universal corporeal state. —Grace Edquist, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2025

Elizabeth never enters the movie in any corporeal way, but the presence of her spirit looms large over the entire gloomy tale, co-written by Jory Anast. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

Along with World War II blood drives, heartwarming stories about corneal transplants spread a radically new understanding of corporeal generosity. —Susan E. Lederer, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2023