Synonyms of phenomenal

phenomenal

adjective

fi-ˈnä-mə-nᵊl 

1

as in extraordinary

being out of the ordinary

the phenomenal growth that the suburb has experienced over the last decade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extraordinary
• exceptional
• unusual
• unique
• outstanding
• remarkable
• rare
• abnormal
• uncommon
• incredible
• odd
• singular
• exceeding
• anomalous
• atypical
• noticeable
• peculiar
• aberrant
• striking
• especial
• unwonted
• freak
• notable
• extraordinaire
• uncustomary
• preternatural
• prominent
• conspicuous
• aberrated
• salient
• bizarre
• eccentric
• strange
• inconceivable
• unimaginable
• incomprehensible
• deviant
• outlandish
• unthinkable
• weird
• quaint
• freakish
• monstrous
• oddball

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• common
• ordinary
• typical
• usual
• customary
• unexceptional
• unextraordinary
• frequent
• familiar
• everyday

2

as in superhuman

being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature

the phenomenal ability to remember the names of thousands of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• superhuman
• uncanny
• miraculous
• magical
• remarkable
• unique
• outstanding
• transcendental
• transcendent
• supernatural
• supernormal
• unearthly
• strange
• preternatural
• marvelous
• bizarre
• rare
• unusual
• curious
• outrageous
• eerie
• peculiar
• fantastic
• grotesque
• uncommon
• funny
• prodigious
• weird
• puzzling
• perplexing
• baffling
• quirky
• singular
• outlandish
• unnatural
• confounding
• quaint
• shocking
• wacky
• idiosyncratic
• striking
• kinky
• atypical
• notable
• freakish
• out-of-the-way
• noticeable
• screwy
• queer
• flaky
• prominent
• outré
• bewildering
• aberrant
• unconventional
• mystifying
• freak
• wild
• conspicuous
• unorthodox
• salient
• far-out
• way-out
• unwonted
• queerish
• uncustomary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• average
• ordinary
• typical
• usual
• everyday
• routine
• commonplace
• garden
• prosaic
• unremarkable
• familiar
• unexceptional
• predictable
• expected
• regular
• run-of-the-mill
• common
• frequent
• workaday
• customary
• habitual
• wonted

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

Recent Examples of phenomenal

Kind of like when Silver put Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki in the All-Star Game to celebrate their phenomenal careers. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

The top floor junior suites have balcony doors and phenomenal views. —Caroline Law, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026

Housed in a 1930s neo-Georgian mansion overlooking Otsego Lake, the Fenimore Art Museum boasts a comprehensive collection of American folk art and fine art, frequent changing seasonal exhibitions, and the phenomenal Thaw Collection of American Indian Art. —Linnea Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026

With 12-of-17 shooting and five 3-pointers while coming off the bench, Reaves was phenomenal despite playing on a minutes restriction in his second game back from a 5 1/2-week absence with a calf injury. —CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026