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 Ralph’s Club, the fragrance from Ralph Lauren, got its own physical iteration of sorts Saturday. James Manso, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2025 Be especially focused on grounding yourself and protecting your physical and mental health. Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025 The evacuation map is an interactive tool that allows residents to search by their physical address, general location, or evacuation zone. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025 Having a physical copy on hand helps avoid unnecessary stress and ensures a smooth check-in and boarding experience from start to finish. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for physical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical
Adjective
  • The virus, which is spread by bodily fluids, is endemic in animal populations in Central and West Africa, and there are periodic outbreaks.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Chernyak, who came to the US last August, was arrested in January and charged with battery with bodily harm over what his common-law wife Oksana Tarasiuk told CNN was a misunderstanding exacerbated by a language barrier with police officers.
    Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At around the same time, a tall, college-aged man carrying a black backpack made his way up the stairwell of the nearby Losee Center, a four-story concrete building that houses the student welcome center, among other things.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Electric trucks from Volvo Trucks, supported by material transport, are enabling fully emission-free operations from selective gutting through to concrete crushing, materials processing, and transport.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By reducing mental suffering, physiological suffering falls, too.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Acclimating to heat can prompt physiological shifts, including an increase in blood volume, an increase in sweat volume, and potential shifts in how efficiently your blood vessels respond to those alterations in volume and stress.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After new state data showed substantial academic gains, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education members defended a six-figure consulting contract Tuesday that raised questions earlier this year about family connections to the district.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • America hasn't seen substantial gains in pay equity or general support for women workers for the last several administrations, Robbins said.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Preservation is a core part of its mission to offer what White called a tangible connection to history through immersive experiences.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Sephora’s Rouge tier consistently delivers early access to sales and exclusive events, reinforcing status in tangible ways.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • They are not meant to represent a particular person or gender, but a universal corporeal state.
    Grace Edquist, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Elizabeth never enters the movie in any corporeal way, but the presence of her spirit looms large over the entire gloomy tale, co-written by Jory Anast.
    Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 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 15 Sep. 2025.

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