Definition of phenomenalnext
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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 The tour was a phenomenal success, generating more than $400 million in box office revenue. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026 After earning phenomenal reviews, winning awards, and selling millions of copies globally, players were left clamouring for a sequel. Keith Langston, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 And what's better than practicing your asanas in a phenomenal natural setting? Jasreen Mayal Khanna, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 But [music supervisor Jason Michael Webb] has done a phenomenal job in his creation and oversight of Prince’s music for the musical. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for phenomenal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
Adjective
  • South Florida motorists routinely saw police officers hurtling along highways at extraordinary speeds without lights, sirens or any apparent emergency.
    Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Barcelona are still extraordinary — and remain a reminder that there are no quick fixes.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The original debates around superhuman AI date to online forums in the 1990s.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Martha has the rare superhuman instincts required to keep both the class and the mess in harmonious balance, and watching her walk into RHONY is like watching a prima ballerina lead an elementary-school dance class.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Engineered around Qualcomm’s flagship 12-core Snapdragon X Elite processor, this Surface laptop delivers exceptional processing speed with whisper-quiet thermal efficiency.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • That golden brown exterior tasted exceptional, but eating it came with some hurdles.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Each one of her novels presents a different setting and dynamic, but her oeuvre is unified by careful thought, sharp style, and an uncanny ability to make the pages want to turn.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Could something uncanny have occurred during the press screening for Don’t Look Back in Anger that had everyone getting misty?
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • If a machine encounters something unusual or gets stuck, someone monitoring the fleet can briefly intervene until the autonomous system is ready to take back over.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The changes occurred amid an unusual rollout of the blog post.
    Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • If the Broncos have a miraculous 17-0 season, Payton would pass Marty Schottenheimer (200).
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In an escape bordering on the miraculous, the crash somehow spared motorists on Milam Dairy Road and terrified workers in a bustling industrial warehouse district west of the airport.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Major European partners are on board as well, including Xilam, pushing French high-end, unique animation series beyond its borders.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The comedic play, which is set at a silent retreat, has the unique convention of having the majority of its characters barely speak, and rather rely on their physicality.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Here, Agapi explains why autumn is so magical in the Greek capital, and lets us in on some of her favorite places to visit at this time of year.
    Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The ordeal forces Sally to admit the existence of their magical powers.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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