1
2

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 But Sam has just been phenomenal. Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025 However, several of his younger costars struggled to build their show business resumes in the years following The Sound of Music’s phenomenal success. Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 This is a phenomenal start for the first film in a trilogy. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025 ChatGPT can be a phenomenal thinking partner. Aisha Ditta, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for phenomenal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
Adjective
  • As a result, Ecuador has avoided the extraordinary inflation that has afflicted so many nations in South America, including Argentina.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Created in her honor, this rose symbolizes her lifelong mission to protect people, animals, and the environment, offering gardeners a living reminder of her extraordinary impact and enduring message of hope.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What went into choreographing a fight between two superhuman combatants?
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 23 Sep. 2025
  • His powers included manipulating fire, engulfing his body in flames, superhuman strength and flying.
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rivian produces adventure-ready electric vehicles with high power outputs and exceptional ground clearance.
    Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This dual-purpose design requires exceptional stiffness, vibration control, and precision engineering, allowing heavy highway loads and high-speed rail traffic to share the same structure safely.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 1960 movie — powered by Bernard Herrmann's chilling score, Anthony Perkins' unnerving portrayal of hotel manager Norman Bates (for the movie, much younger than the character in Bloch's novel) and Hitchcock's uncanny showmanship — revolutionized the horror genre.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is not particularly unusual, and in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system, forcing a team down one side is effective.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The lawsuit is the first to challenge the administration's unusual use of partisan messaging in government communications during the shutdown, which legal experts told NPR may violate federal ethics laws.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Inter reaching two Champions League finals in the past three seasons is nothing short of miraculous — particularly given the club got repossessed by the investment firm Oaktree just over a year ago.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield’s closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These unique skills are essential for the one requirement that the commission must do — pass a balanced budget.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • 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, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is about three generations of strong women on an ancestral olive farm and one magical summer that changes everything.
    Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The magical experiences and their significant meaning often fade without pre-dosing planning and post-session support.
    Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on phenomenal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!