as in magic
having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers
some have sensed a numinous energy in the landscape around Sedona, Arizona
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Recent Examples of numinous
Instead of dotting the same black scrim, like pinholes in a two-dimensional theater backdrop, the stars were scattered through space at dramatically varying distances, a vast swarm of them filling every last corner of an even vaster, more numinous, and emphatically three-dimensional darkness.
—
Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Though also suspended, Bo Bardi’s building generously offers a sheltering agora for all people on the street rather than a numinous temple for rarefied art audiences.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In this numinous world, visitors come by for death bed reckonings, and the CEO will have many scores to settle.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Venus and Jupiter will also harmonize with numinous Neptune, adding a touch of magic to your union.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Though also suspended, Bo Bardi’s building generously offers a sheltering agora for all people on the street rather than a numinous temple for rarefied art audiences.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In this numinous world, visitors come by for death bed reckonings, and the CEO will have many scores to settle.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Venus and Jupiter will also harmonize with numinous Neptune, adding a touch of magic to your union.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numinous
Adjective
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Bring some of summer’s magic indoors with this floral quilt from Laura Ashley.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
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The ants use a magic potion to shrink him down, forcing him to live—and survive—as one of them.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But might Haaland or the ageless Messi go on a magical run?—
Greg Cote
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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On a blind date, his descriptions of magical griffins and burning deserts sound humiliatingly immature.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numinous. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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