1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an editor with a preternatural sense of what will interest the book-buying public
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supernatural
of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe
an investigator of preternatural phenomena
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature
a preternatural ability to predict how the stock market will perform
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preternatural
Megadeth was fueled by spite, inspired by speed, and enabled by Mustaine’s preternatural gift for Flying V warfare, as well as his knack for asking provocative economic queries about the salability of peace.
—
Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Though his language is that of the every day his preternatural instinct for rhythm fills his lines with a bursting musicality.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
There was some hope that Brosmer, who parlayed a combination of accuracy and preternatural processing skills into a roster spot out of training camp, might surprise everyone by running an efficient ship on Sunday.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Dec. 2025
The most straightforward way to account for this preternatural smoothness is a period of inflation that provides time for the baby universe to reach a uniform temperature.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Though his language is that of the every day his preternatural instinct for rhythm fills his lines with a bursting musicality.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
There was some hope that Brosmer, who parlayed a combination of accuracy and preternatural processing skills into a roster spot out of training camp, might surprise everyone by running an efficient ship on Sunday.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Dec. 2025
The most straightforward way to account for this preternatural smoothness is a period of inflation that provides time for the baby universe to reach a uniform temperature.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preternatural
Adjective
-
Why Octopuses Can Squeeze Through Incredibly Small Spaces Octopuses have no bones at all, which gives them an extraordinary level of flexibility and control over their bodies.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
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After being injected with a mysterious serum, Gabriel gains extraordinary strength, speed, and resilience.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the everyday cowboy problems get intertwined with something more menacing — possibly supernatural — when Abbott discovers an ominous black void on his property.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
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The project will be a reimagining of the 2017 film, which centers on a police officer and a series of paranormal researchers and investigators who attempt to get to the bottom of supernatural occurrences that are centered in one neighborhood in Buenos Aires.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hysterical strength is when people exhibit superhuman abilities during life-and-death circumstances, and the most common example is when a mother lifts a car to rescue her child.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
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That McHale can represent a voice of reason and still fall prey to the superhuman antics of ghost face is a breath of fresh air.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The barbed fact is that the woman caught in the middle of this unusual male arrangement benefits from none of their newfound emotional enlightenment.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Trent Richardson and Saquon Barkley are the only running backs who have been drafted in the top three picks in the last two decades of the NFL draft, but Jeremiyah Love joins that group as the Cardinals take the unusual move of drafting a back this high.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The film centers on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts — and the lies underpinning their business.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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The Volo Museum is located in the far northwest suburb it is named for, and is well known for reports by guests, employees and the family of owners of paranormal activity on the property.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jaafar Jackson does bear an uncanny resemblance to his late uncle, and clearly knows how to replicate his signature moves, his physical fluidity, his beaming smile reserved for fans, animals, and hospital residents.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
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Juxtaposed to Colman Domingo’s blustering portrayal of Joe Jackson and Jaafar Jackson’s uncanny performance as his late uncle Michael, Long has found a way to make silence load-bearing.—
Zeba Blay,
SELF,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Michael's exceptional work has earned him numerous accolades from prestigious organisations such as the National Geographic, BBC, Virgin Galactic, Canon and Sony.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Lakers are getting exceptional postseason play from Smart, the longtime Celtics guard who joined Los Angeles this season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These are works of deep conviction, carved in steel by a true believer in metal’s transcendental power.—
Brad Sanders,
Pitchfork,
14 Apr. 2026
-
To the victim, a transcendental thief is still a thief.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preternatural. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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