phenomenon

noun

fi-ˈnä-mə-ˌnän How to pronounce phenomenon (audio)
Definition of phenomenonnext
as in miracle
something extraordinary or surprising our jaws dropped when we saw this basketball phenomenon play for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 phenomenon The rookie phenomenon earned eight Emmy noms, including drama series. — Matt Minton, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 The phenomenon is most reliably seen from the sound side of the Outer Banks during summer months. — Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026 But as the streaming phenomenon of this past winter, in a TV season light on new breakouts, its awards potential was undeniable. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 This is a relatively new phenomenon—for four decades straight, prior to 2022, young college graduates had lower unemployment numbers than the general population did. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for phenomenon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenon
  1. miracle
  2. wonder
  3. marvel
Noun
  • The miracle behind Cruz’s discovery is that amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders rarely make it into the fossil records because of their fragile skeletons.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Between these firsthand testimonies from veterans, his own medical miracle, and the spiritual experience, Perry became convinced that helping legitimize ibogaine should be his life’s mission.
    — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of miracle
Noun
  • Monica Bellucci’s sneer is a thing of wonder, so why have so few directors used it properly?
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But these trolls aren’t just for children—they’re for anyone looking to rediscover wonder in art and nature.
    — Lisa Greissinger, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of wonder
Noun
  • This week's quiz highlights family fun, medical marvels — and a lot more.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The man responsible for one of the greatest engineering marvels of his time, the 233-mile aqueduct that gave a semiarid region a world-class city, now admitted responsibility for one of the greatest engineering disasters in American history.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of marvel

Browse Nearby Words

phenomenal
phenomenon
phew
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Cite this Entry

“Phenomenon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenon. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on phenomenon

Nglish: Translation of phenomenon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phenomenon

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