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

The massive and systematic erasure of the subject’s corporeal or cranial profiles under the promises of collectivized universal freedom has suddenly acquired the features of the fascist unifier, if not yet worn with the pride of a helmet, then at least with that of an armband or a brassard. —Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025

At its première, at the Avignon Festival, in 2023, this two-and-a-half-hour exercise in corporeal commitment was greeted as both a scandal and a career-making success. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025

Also at play is the culture of sport itself, an arena of ultimate corporeal sacrifice — and a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Ashley Darby, after seven winters, six summers, and two presidential administrations, has finally gotten divorced from the corporeal gremlin known as Michael Darby. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025