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

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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 The machine-to-machine conversation quickly turned into discussions of consciousness and self-awareness, producing content with spiritual, metaphysical or poetic themes. — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 Diaz, who tends to lean on history, underpins his metaphysical examinations with a discussion of social constructs. — Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026 Lee’s lines have the intimacy and metaphysical heft of prayer; their elegant recursions and repetitions call to mind the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Dürrenmatt is more focused on moral than metaphysical questions. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 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
  • For now, the research work establishes a theoretical possibility under restrictive conditions, not evidence that any black hole has ever been divided into two.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Such scenarios may become more common as militaries continue to deploy a once-theoretical technology — AI-assisted or autonomous weapons, capable of making both targeting and launch decisions on their own — on real battlefields around the globe.
    — Kylie Jones, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Consider a ghost tour of Merchant’s House, a residence turned museum where supernatural phenomena have been reported since the death of its last occupant, in 1933.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The film draws on 1980s supernatural comedies, including Back to the Future, Ghostbusters and The Addams Family, alongside classic monster movies and horror spoofs.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • Friedel Dzubas spent most of his career making enormous, vibrant Color Field–esque abstract paintings.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The top was somewhat simple, a strapless corset bodice with a few abstract splashes of white congregating on the righthand side, but the gown grew decidedly more dramatic on the way down.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • The cities with the most paranormal sightings are in Texas, with Austin reporting 115, while Dallas had 64 and Houston had 48.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The profound connection between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce is so uncanny as to prompt paranormal explanations.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of paranormal
Adjective
  • Under the conceptual arrangement, the city would own the property and oversee street construction, while the district would participate financially and construct its own access drives connecting to the new street.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Staten Island hip-hop titans conceived of the album as a conceptual artwork, a protest against the cheapening of music in the age of widespread piracy.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • Call it transcendental, the character’s deepening sense of luminosity, the way his empathy heightens as his consciousness expands.
    — David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Users seeking transcendental sources of insight do not know or care how the oracle came up with its responses.
    — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of transcendental
Adjective
  • Still, the very idea of such a thing freezes my brain, locking it into a mental feedback loop that’s the equivalent of running around in a tight circle flapping my arms wildly and screaming.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Livia Gershon considers the role of mental hospitals in horror.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of mental
Adjective
  • Some people are even gravitating toward religious organizations and turning to mystical practices like psychics and love spells to find a partner.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Your new favorite bookshop is a mystical cocktail bar with a dragon.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystical

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metaphysical
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Cite this Entry

“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphysical. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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