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 Felicia Gross, 33, of Jackson, faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and two counts of tampering with a witness. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Aug. 2025 The patient’s physical condition eventually normalized and his psychotic symptoms subsided during his three-week hospital stint. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025 The new species was identified by its scale pattern, skeleton, jaws, body proportions and other subtle physical features, the study said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025 The attack occurred amid a broader climate of intense antisemitism, which recently led Deborah Lyons, Canada’s special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism, to resign in July — three months before her term ended — citing physical and emotional exhaustion. Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for physical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical
Adjective
  • The man, a Mexican national, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a federal officer, assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury and destruction of government property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The following items are prohibited: Any object that can be used to inflict bodily injury or disrupt the event, chemical dispensing devices, noise-making devices, two-way radios.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In Seoul, faded remnants of the Joseon era press up against sprawling concrete neighborhoods, and timeworn hanok courtyards linger behind cozy cafés.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Security camera footage from the homes of missing kids reveals disturbing images of them running toward, rather than away from something, but concrete leads are elusive.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • From a physiological point of view, fatigue is associated with a rise in cortisol, the neuromediator that reflects our resilience to emotional or physical stress.
    Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The activation of a single G protein can affect the production of hundreds or even thousands of second messengers, affecting various cellular processes and physiological functions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The operational efficiency gains are substantial enough to justify rebuilding treasury operations around crypto infrastructure.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In other news as the feature enters post-production, Collins has announced a substantial equity investment into his production company This Seems Reel Entertainment.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With a steady drumbeat of crises, cutting through requires fresh angles, clear analogies and tangible stories.
    Shaun Walsh, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Her dedication to producing tangible improvements in the realm of social justice is evidenced by her previous positions, most recently as the director of the center for social justice at the Urban League of Southwestern Ohio.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The more corporeal set pieces involving Brie and Franco are delightfully gross, and were especially taxing to shoot.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
  • These early influences contributed to his interest in percolating debates about the divide between functional and organic disease—or disease that can be clearly attributed to some corporeal source vs. that with no apparent somatic aspect.
    Tom Zeller Jr. July 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 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
  • Recognize Somatic Cues To Reduce Reactivity Professionals can use somatic cues to better understand their emotions, reduce stress and develop greater self-awareness.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • These early influences contributed to his interest in percolating debates about the divide between functional and organic disease—or disease that can be clearly attributed to some corporeal source vs. that with no apparent somatic aspect.
    Tom Zeller Jr. July 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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