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 But solely focusing on your physical health isn’t enough to achieve longevity, a new study has found. Gina Park, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 Last to mention is that there appears to be some lucky energy, either around your employment, routines or physical health. Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025 Either way, taking this small step clears mental and physical space. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025 The interior of the concept comprises sumptuous leatherwork and controls defined by physical knobs, dials, and switches. Stephen Treffinger, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for physical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical
Adjective
  • Sanchez was charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury on Monday.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Originally, Ascher and Fraker were each charged with one count of failure to act to prevent bodily harm to a child, a felony that could have resulted in as much as six-year prison sentences.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sign — fixed high on the outside wall of the black and red painted concrete block building — was to be removed before demolition and donated to the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/ Museum under the requirements of the demolition contract.
    Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The room had cinderblock walls, a concrete slab floor and two rows of about 10 cages that were raised about waist high, each containing a chimpanzee in a near-frenzied state, hooting and shaking his or her metal enclosure.
    Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Also, some physiological factors, such as pH and carbon dioxide levels, had to be estimated rather than directly measured, potentially introducing small errors.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Birth is a rapid physiological overhaul.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sportsnet, owned by Canadian media conglomerate Rogers Communications, is the Canadian rights-holder for all Blue Jays games, as well as being the Canadian rights-holder for a substantial package of MLB regular-season games and the entire postseason.
    Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Anyone who requires dialysis is covered by Medicare at substantial cost to taxpayers, Norton says.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As in prior moral panics, the technology proved to be an easy and tangible scapegoat, which enabled Americans to avoid grappling with the complex social factors—like deindustrialization, urban decay, and disillusioned suburban children—that led to a combustible situation ripe for tragedy.
    Time, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In a June 2016 op-ed for the New York Times, the Master of None creator and star described how the anti-Muslim rhetoric from politicians has had a tangible effect on him and his family.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ashley Darby, after seven winters, six summers, and two presidential administrations, has finally gotten divorced from the corporeal gremlin known as Michael Darby.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • 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
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 9 Oct. 2025.

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