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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preternatural
Kaufman had a preternatural ability to remain unperturbed by time passing, even when his audience became disgruntled, hostile or upset.
—
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
With their preternatural ability to optimize supply chains and cut costs, Chinese firms are also accelerating the mass production of humanoids.
—John Liu, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
Not many of your future gigs are going to involve world-class talents, caught in the preternatural bloom of youth, who happen to be equally, proficiently gifted in the areas of singing, songcraft, self-revelation and the fine art of rocking out.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
His unlikely nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate and subsequent victory over incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election spoke to Carter's relentless drive and preternatural self-assuredness.
—Mark Updegrove, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
With their preternatural ability to optimize supply chains and cut costs, Chinese firms are also accelerating the mass production of humanoids.
—John Liu, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
Not many of your future gigs are going to involve world-class talents, caught in the preternatural bloom of youth, who happen to be equally, proficiently gifted in the areas of singing, songcraft, self-revelation and the fine art of rocking out.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
His unlikely nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate and subsequent victory over incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election spoke to Carter's relentless drive and preternatural self-assuredness.
—Mark Updegrove, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preternatural
Adjective
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In the following months, Modi’s government introduced a series of extraordinary initiatives meant to solidify Hindu dominance.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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One minor injury was reported in the extraordinary mishap.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The twins successfully pack the juke joint with customers who are intoxicated by Sammie’s supernatural skills with a guitar—Delta Slim describes Black music as a kind of magic, and in another striking scene, Sammie’s playing summons the spirits of the revelers’ ancestors and descendants.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2025
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The film, set in 1930s Mississippi and layered with supernatural tension, required not just historical precision but spiritual and emotional resonance.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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The rise of no-code design has been like the building of a massive tower by a superhuman labor force – it’s been a whirlwind.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Directed by Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank, Paper Towns) and scripted by Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow) and The Bear showrunner Joanna Calo, the film's story and starry ensemble aim to prove heroes can have emotional depth as well as superhuman strength.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But many don't realize there are lots of other, more unusual ways allergies can show up.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 May 2025
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That’s not unusual, for people to send spritzes, but then the manager came out with a gift bag.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Things get even more complicated when Yoon-gab’s possession by Gang Cheol prompts some paranormal surprises and romantic confusion.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Some strange sightings in the neck of the woods, however, set a paranormal tone and a mystery to resolve that intertwines with each of the four main characters.—
Diego Argüello,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Each week, Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale would drive into a new locale, discover that a murder had taken place, and solve it using her uncanny ability to recognize when people are lying.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
9 May 2025
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The weekly Colombo-esque whodunnit follows Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a woman whose uncanny ability to spot a lie routinely gets her in trouble.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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In 1982, Israel demonstrated exceptional tactical precision in Operation Mole Cricket 19 in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, destroying the majority of Syrian aircraft without suffering a single loss.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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His rise has been exceptional since signing from Middlesbrough, establishing himself among Emery’s most important players.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Plus, the music is still transcendental across the board.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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From transcendental meditation to online shopping, these are the pop star's must-haves for touring.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preternatural. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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