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 That's according to researchers at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), who made a specific discovery about physical activity's brain benefits. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 In three seasons of college football — first at Oregon State and then the University of Miami — Damien Martinez proved to be a steady, physical running back who is also capable of breaking off big plays. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2025 The Houston Rockets, in general, have been a physical team during this series, doing their best to make things difficult for the Warriors. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 Rest, recharge and focus on your physical and mental health. Kyle Thomas, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for physical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical
Adjective
  • That’s why Florida must implement mandatory bodily injury (BI) liability insurance.
    Richard D Schuler, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Tune into any bodily responses (ease, tension, vitality, etc.).
    Nancy Zamierowski, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Win on Sunday, sell on Monday, like concrete tech transfer, is much less of a thing in the early 21st century, but marketing remains a central reason for OEM involvement in the sport.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
  • The Hawaii settlement set concrete benchmarks and included provisions for continued feedback on state policies by the youth plaintiffs.
    Alexandra Klass, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • From a physiological perspective, Kraemer wrote, boys are born about a month behind girls developmentally.
    Joshua Coleman, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Elsewhere, some commercial deepfake detectors are already using more granular metrics—such as measuring variations in pixel brightness—that don’t rely on physiological characteristics at all.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That could mean substantial delays in shipments, experts note.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 2 May 2025
  • Apple made substantial modifications to its App Review Guidelines on Friday and emailed registered developers regarding the changes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Caracol is a tangible celebration of Mexico’s coastline, grilling fresh-off-the-boat seafood over an open flame.
    Kareema Bee, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
  • While hazing has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, incidents like the one in Syracuse are reminders of how vague the true scope of hazing nationwide remains and the need for more tangible hazing prevention practices, experts and advocates say.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Dead Ringers, which marked a new peak of technical and dramatic sophistication for Cronenberg, has its moments of vintage corporeal unpleasantness (see, and never unsee, the instruments for operating on mutant women).
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Non-fatiguing and transparent, the sound can be compared to Quad 57 electrostatics, but with deep base, corporeal weight, and presence.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • One study of about 200 Korean scientists found that animal researchers had significantly higher anxiety scores than non-animal researchers.
    Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • When practiced with awareness, movement becomes a form of somatic strategy: enhancing focus, regulating emotions and restoring cognitive bandwidth.
    Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Participants in the placebo plus explanation group also had the greatest mean decrease in specific somatic symptom intensity (82.5%), followed by placebo without explanation (50.3%) and treatment as usual (45.7%).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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