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 Federal officers should not respond to First Amendment activity with physical force and the firing of projectiles. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the hour before bedtime and in-bed screen use was identified from camera footage. New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025 Would those traits be enough against the most physical and athletic opponent the Cavaliers had encountered? David Teel, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 However, these recommendations should be modified to meet each individual’s physical abilities and conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for physical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical
Adjective
  • Her erotica revels in bodily fluids.
    Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The suspect, 27-year-old Saul Montanez, faces charges of collision involving death and serious bodily injury, according to jail records.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During another visit, a city investigator reported seeing unpermitted construction of concrete pads, structures and grading.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Billy Vigar collided with a concrete wall during the game at Wingate and Finchley while attempting to keep a ball from going out of play, per ESPN.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Birth is a rapid physiological overhaul.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The chemical structure of caffeine is similar to that of adenosine, a naturally occurring chemical in the body that plays a role in various physiological processes, including the perception of pain.
    Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But substantial uncertainties remain about when Israeli military forces would withdraw from most of the Gaza Strip, exactly how a transitional body would govern and police the enclave, and now, most critically, whether Hamas will acquiesce to the terms of the plan.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
  • With an extended range of more than 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) and the ability to stay airborne indefinitely with aerial refueling, the Reapers will provide a substantial boost to US forces in the region.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One tangible reason for Knicks fans to be hopeful is the fact that new coach Mike Brown will almost certainly use his bench a lot more than his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau, did.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • After nearly three years in office, this strategy Hobbs chose has yielded few tangible, undisputed results beyond the existence of a heat preparedness plan.
    Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Voldemort only appears in Rowling's novel as a grotesque face growing out of another character's head in that first book, and doesn't receive a full-bodied corporeal form until the climax of the fourth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
  • They are not meant to represent a particular person or gender, but a universal corporeal state.
    Grace Edquist, Vogue, 27 Aug. 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
  • Both are very valuable, but my mind often overrides intuition or the nature of what my body knows, its somatic intelligence.
    Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Experiment with one small goal for this time to bolster mental and somatic wellbeing.
    Colin Bedell, Them., 26 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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