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
  • Each work takes its cues from Vodou spiritual practices in Haiti that are grounded in their African roots.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Since those moments Birmingham has occupied a central space in the physical and spiritual lineage of America's Civil Rights Movement.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of spiritual
Adjective
  • 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
  • Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 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
  • Directed by Kei Oikawa and adapted from the popular manga by Nagano, the fantasy feature follows the titular character and companions venturing to a remote island retreat before unraveling a supernatural peril.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • One of the last movie projects actor RJ Mitte worked on was a supernatural thriller filmed in Lawrence, not far from the University of Kansas campus.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • The belief that heat can benefit the mind and relieve psychic suffering has a long history across human societies.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
  • On the sixth season (1986-87) of the CBS primetime soap opera Falcon Crest, Gortner drew on his real-life experience to portray Vince Karlotti, a colorful polygamist and faux psychic medium over 17 episodes.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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