nonphysical

adjective

ˌnän-ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce nonphysical (audio)
Definition of nonphysicalnext
as in spiritual
not composed of matter ghosts are generally thought to be nonphysical in nature

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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 nonphysical In Ayurveda, Prana, the life force carried by the breath, is understood to nourish both the mind and body and can be viewed as a nonphysical substance, finer than oxygen. — Trisha Swift, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 In accounting, intangible assets are nonphysical possessions including such things as brands and intellectual property, software, mineral rights ‒ and contracts. — Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 For Dualism, how can something nonphysical interact with anything physical? — Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024 But amortization, the term for depreciating nonphysical assets, was less straightforward. — Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 8 July 2021 See All Example Sentences for nonphysical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonphysical
  1. spiritual
  2. metaphysical
  3. incorporeal
  4. supernatural
  5. psychic
Adjective
  • At the heart of this approach is the belief that each child has a right to holistic, empathetic care during illness and throughout end of their life that considers their unique social, cultural, physical and spiritual needs.
    — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
  • As Lefens mixes spiritual elements with the quotidian, the novel examines the paradoxes of safety, responsibility, and trust.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • The latter perhaps most acutely reflected such dominant motifs in Gibson’s midcareer work as female figures, birds, and metaphysical reflectors.
    — The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • Followers of the Abrahamic religions are supposed to treat God as immaterial and incorporeal, yet these early Yahweh worshippers imagined him as fully embodied.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Positioned as a large-scale genre event, the series updates the legendary SFX property with a contemporary political and social edge, with Shun Oguri leading the cast as a detective hunting a seemingly incorporeal killer.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of incorporeal
Adjective
  • The other Vision is a supernatural manifestation, brought to life via Wanda Maximoff’s sorcery; he is known as Hex Vision.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And yet, ghost stories will often have women as supernatural witches, coming back to curse people or cause trouble.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • Woolf treats this psychic drama seriously and with great generosity and tenderness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
  • These onetime kid actors have spoken movingly about facing isolation, external pressure, intense public scrutiny, and the psychic pain of constant rejection on the audition circuit.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of psychic

Browse Nearby Words

nonperishable
nonphysical
nonphysician
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonphysical. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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