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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective phenomenal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of phenomenal are corporeal, material, objective, physical, and sensible. While all these words mean "of or belonging to actuality," phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

When would corporeal be a good substitute for phenomenal?

Although the words corporeal and phenomenal have much in common, corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

When could material be used to replace phenomenal?

The synonyms material and phenomenal are sometimes interchangeable, but material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

When is objective a more appropriate choice than phenomenal?

The meanings of objective and phenomenal largely overlap; however, objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

When is it sensible to use physical instead of phenomenal?

The words physical and phenomenal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

In what contexts can sensible take the place of phenomenal?

While the synonyms sensible and phenomenal are close in meaning, sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

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 phenomenal Bichette struggled last year, but responded with a phenomenal offensive season. Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 There was Oprah, The Wiz, headshots, iconic body shots of his gloved hand and toes en pointe and every dimension of his phenomenal music video experiences. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025 Colorado breweries and cideries made a phenomenal showing, collecting a total of 40 medals, 19 of which were gold. Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025 The retailer is known for its phenomenal seating, including Italian leather sofas, velvet sectionals, and accent chairs framed by solid wood armrests. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for phenomenal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
Adjective
  • Friday's purge reduces to just four the number of men serving on the Central Military Commission (CMC), including Xi – an extraordinary concentration of power, according to analysts.
    Deirdre Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Diet convened for an extraordinary session to elect Takaichi, who took over after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned with his cabinet earlier in the morning.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This creature’s strength is superhuman, which is unfortunate for anyone who happens to provoke him.
    Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Moments that remind you that not every hero needs a cape or superhuman strength to uplift the world.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The lounge feels like a five-star hotel with fine dining (don’t miss the schnitzel), an exceptional whiskey bar, and plush daybeds and showers.
    Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Native throughout eastern North America, arrowwood viburnum provides exceptional wildlife value through nectar-rich spring blooms and late season blue-black fruits.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The stunning Louvre museum heist earlier this week in Paris offers an uncanny encapsulation of the broader society-wide phenomenon.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The film examines the exhilarating and uncanny experience of meeting a blood brother for the first time in adulthood.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Bessent, who specialized in foreign exchange in a decades-long hedge fund career, organized a $20 billion foreign-exchange swap with Argentina’s central bank earlier this month — an unusual structure that bypassed the US Federal Reserve, which is typically the lead party in such arrangements.
    Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Tucked away in a couple of buildings in Old Town are rows upon rows of colorful artwork, which is not especially unusual for the state historic park.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The bad feelings flared up moments after Payton's Broncos pulled off a miraculous rally on Sunday, beating New York 33-32 in a game that Denver trailed by 18 with six minutes left.
    David K. Li, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Since defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos and raising expectations around the NFL, the Chargers have been on a less-than-stellar stretch in which their only victory in their past four games was a miraculous, last-minute win over the struggling Miami Dolphins.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Its unique geography, between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, along with its mountain surroundings, offers an enviable climate with hot summers and mild winters.
    Kimberly Lyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Although Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprised their roles as the magical trio for the 2022 sequel, Birch, Katz and Shaw were not present for the onscreen reunion.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Enjoying a swimming hole in the summer is a prime Vermont pastime, but the state's waterways are just as magical in the colder months.
    Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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