philosophical

variants also philosophic
Definition of philosophicalnext

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 philosophical Their enduring presence in literary and philosophical discussions speaks to the core function of the humanities—to explore, question, and better understand the forces that define our existence. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026 Klara, whose philosophical raptures treat the Sun as a living deity and who is also capable of parroting any human’s voice or temperament on command, becomes fast friends with the girl. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 Her account opens with an acute examination of the paradoxes of willing (an example of how boldly this memoir follows its philosophical interests). — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Hamilton had long been a stargazer, thanks to a philosophical father who taught her to love the night sky. — Dean Robbins, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for philosophical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philosophical
Adjective
  • Agents ask unanticipated questions across operational and analytical systems, often in real time.
    — Felix Liao, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That, to me, raises the question of how universities should build the human competencies such as deep thinking, analytical reasoning, judgment, and taste.
    — Matt vandenBerg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Considering that deer live by their noses, Woods has a logical theory about why deer are most active at dawn and dusk.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That track record is why Costco’s move into healthcare is logical, and likely to succeed.
    — Jeffrey I. Cole, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Predicting the costs How cities full of rational, educated, financially prudent people get sucked in, how we’re persuaded to put aside concerns about being stuck with a massive bill and just surrender to the spectacle.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There is, in the cold, rational, and most-of-all humorless heart of Defoe, intimations of a world to come (which is our own).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The Tallahassee Police Department said in a statement that 11 of the 12 were shot and that three victims had serious injuries, with one minor in serious condition.
    — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Bake this classic all the way through for a light and tender crumb, or cut the bake time short for serious gooey goodness in the center.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The story is told from the perspective of infant twins with divergent personalities—Rose is unguardedly buoyant, whereas Marigold is watchful and introspective.
    — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Thankfully, Brandon is one of Austen’s most introspective suitors, and Nordrum is not unlike the character in real life — thoughtful, gentle and a little self-effacing.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Philosophical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philosophical. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster