metaphysical

adjective

ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce metaphysical (audio)
Definition of metaphysicalnext
1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea a work that deals with such metaphysical questions as the very nature of knowledge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supernatural
of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe belief in a metaphysical world beyond the one in which we live

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 metaphysical In the 18th century Samuel Johnson coined the term metaphysical poets to criticize Donne, John Cleveland, and Abraham Cowley. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026 Instrumental rock music of the kind Horse Lords make—hypnotic, hyper-focused, complex—usually carries a whiff of manifesto, offering a map toward transcendence of some political, metaphysical, or pick-your-variety kind. — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026 Mystical, metaphysical, and frequently touched by whimsy, his boundary-breaking work reflected his abiding interest in Surrealists such as Joseph Cornell, Giorgio di Chirico, and René Magritte. — News Desk, Artforum, 12 June 2026 Some of the dialogue feels like Harrison’s own metaphysical musings rather than characters’ speech. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphysical
  1. theoretical
  2. supernatural
  3. abstract
  4. paranormal
  5. conceptual
  6. transcendental
  7. mental
  8. mystical
Adjective
  • The OpenAI incident demonstrates that these capabilities are no longer theoretical.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Perhaps more surprisingly, Anthropic has in recent weeks also picked up a Stanford economist, a theoretical physicist from the University of Maryland, and an analytic philosopher from UT Austin.
    — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Whitehead’s noirish début tells the story of a Black elevator inspector with supernatural gifts, who is framed for an accident amid a sectarian struggle to define the cities of the future.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
  • The Blumhouse production sees Chastain portray Ursula, a wife and mother, as well as a supernatural entity that haunts her family’s home.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 July 2026
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • Based on seeing a rodeo, Untitled (1948) is one of Parsons’s earliest abstract paintings.
    — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026
  • Also on the island is Áfangar, an installation by the late American abstract artist Richard Serra.
    — Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • In recent years, the typical Shears song has cloaked descriptions of paranormal encounters in hardcore distortion and cartoon sound effects, fleshing out the twins’ strange world while hinting at weirder mysteries beneath the surface.
    — Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026
  • Hosted by local paranormal investigators, the evening includes an immersive presentation detailing the history of the opera house’s most famous hauntings and paranormal activity.
    — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
Definition of paranormal
Adjective
  • Amy Oppenheim also talked about the enjoyable process of working with the museum on a show by her husband, Dennis Oppenheim, the conceptual and land artist who passed away in 2011.
    — Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026
  • Lange and Reyna used the time apart as a wide-open creative space, not so much focused on any specific conceptual or a philosophical (or even emotional) basis for the record, but on a feeling of soft moodiness.
    — E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • Stablecoins have become one of crypto’s most transcendental inventions.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Some participants even characterize their experiences as transcendental, ecstatic, or spiritual.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Definition of transcendental
Adjective
  • The other bill proposed requiring alcohol, drug and mental wellness checks for all Kansas judges.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • The father refused to participate, but his son provided insight into his father’s mental state.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of mental
Adjective
  • To me, jasmine reads more mystical and fresh than hyper-femme or basic bloom.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 July 2026
  • Messi’s incidental presence became melancholy rather than mystical.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of mystical

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Cite this Entry

“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphysical. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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