Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective physical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of physical are corporeal, material, objective, phenomenal, and sensible. While all these words mean "of or belonging to actuality," physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

When is it sensible to use corporeal instead of physical?

Although the words corporeal and physical 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 is material a more appropriate choice than physical?

The words material and physical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would objective be a good substitute for physical?

In some situations, the words objective and physical are roughly equivalent. However, objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

Where would phenomenal be a reasonable alternative to physical?

The meanings of phenomenal and physical largely overlap; however, 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 could sensible be used to replace physical?

The words sensible and physical can be used in similar contexts, but 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 physical Fuel costs and physical exhaustion—combined with the general chaos that defined the Grateful Dead’s mid-’70s era—ultimately forced the band to abandon the system after less than a year, retiring it following their October 1974 shows at San Francisco’s Winterland. Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 June 2025 When physical activity decreases, the effects of hormonal changes can be amplified during menopause, leading to further weight gain. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 26 June 2025 Participating locations provide mental and physical health resources for LGBTQ+ community members. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 Translating a physical place into perfume is no small feat. Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Robb Report, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for physical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical
Adjective
  • The charges include a Level 4 felony of operating while intoxicated causing death; Level 5 felonies of reckless homicide, criminal recklessness, driving while suspended causing death and Level 6 felonies of driving while suspended causing bodily injury and reckless driving.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • She was arraigned and charged with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, misleading a police investigation, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing personal injury.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Under the right circumstances, a small drone can destroy even the most robust concrete structure simply by bringing the detonator.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • But rather than agree to lead a security intervention, as Rubio has suggested, the OAS last week adopted a resolution calling for concrete solutions to resolve the crisis.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • In situations such as receiving critical feedback or navigating interpersonal conflict, the brain may default to a threat state, triggering physiological and cognitive responses akin to fight-or-flight.
    Andriana Eliadis, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • That’s a physiological issue (as opposed to a disease) known as blossom-end rot.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • This, coupled with liquidity issues, can lead to cash flow crises, forcing sales at substantial discounts.
    Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The allocation of substantial resources towards isoprene formation indicates its importance.
    Jay Kakade June 30, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Anthony Dod Mantle’s lower-grade digital footage in the first film enhanced the tangible sense of fear, and, like The Blair Witch Project before it, gave it the texture of a documentary.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 20 June 2025
  • Crafting: Explore knitting, woodworking, jewelry making or home décor projects that produce tangible, valuable results.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • But all of Caland’s brilliantly hued canvases are also fleshy and funny and female, in ways that speak of bold corporeal pleasure.
    Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • For corporeal creatures such as humans, grappling with a universe that might not be singular, time that moves in many directions, and matter that both does and does not exist is mind-bending, to say the least.
    Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 paved the way for alternatives to animal testing, and in December 2023, an NIH advisory committee made similar recommendations to develop non-animal methods.
    Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025
  • Rendering is a process that transforms animal by-products, like leftover meat and fats...and yes, chicken feet, into usable materials, such as animal feed, fuel, and other industrial products.
    Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Her approach to stress and trauma aligns with a growing body of work in the somatic therapy field, which focuses on how the body stores and processes stress.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • Yoga, breathwork and dance are all forms of somatic movement.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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