1
as in metaphysical
not composed of matter
a staunch skeptic and realist, he scoffs at the very notion of ghosts and other spiritual entities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in religious
of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion
spiritual songs that have been sung by generations of worshippers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hymn
a religious song
sang a spiritual at the funeral
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiritual
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The resulting film is equal parts shaggy, quixotic road movie and Malickian spiritual ponderance, gazing at the celestial patterns above while also too drunk on them to see the shallowness of their promise.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The Pacifica Quartet with guest soprano Karen Slack and pianist Casey Robards on Oct. 7 in a program focused on Black composers including spirituals arranged by Florence Price, a selection of spirituals and James Lee’s setting of poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiritual
Adjective
His 2024 ambient project, Total Meditation, introduced fans to a softer, more mindful side of the artist, proving that his growth isn’t just physical but deeply spiritual as well.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The resulting film is equal parts shaggy, quixotic road movie and Malickian spiritual ponderance, gazing at the celestial patterns above while also too drunk on them to see the shallowness of their promise.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
The song's combination of folk-soul lyricism, driven by funky hip-hop breaks, was inspired by the spirituals sung by enslaved people on prison chain gangs.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The Pacifica Quartet with guest soprano Karen Slack and pianist Casey Robards on Oct. 7 in a program focused on Black composers including spirituals arranged by Florence Price, a selection of spirituals and James Lee’s setting of poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritual
Adjective
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Gleason, famously fascinated with UFOs and metaphysical theory, dreamed up the circular home that embodied futuristic ambition while showcasing old-fashioned craftsmanship.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
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Dao and qi are two metaphysical categories that persisted throughout the history of Chinese thought, with various interpretations of their unification and separation.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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How the courts and legislatures balance the rights of the majority and minority in these disputes over the place of the Ten Commandments in public life may go a long way toward shaping the future of religious freedom in American public education.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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Families in Florida can also seek temporary or permanent exemptions for medical or religious reasons.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The title track is a sublime slow-core power ballad, a hymn to beauty in a world of chaos.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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The sanctuary is now missing the familiar sounds of hymns and the children’s voices that once echoed through its halls.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Black people and Black Mormons were barred from sacred buildings, temples and practices until 1978.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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In France, August is sacred for summer holidays; in the UK or US, late-night calls are normal.—
Nathanael Bondu,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Italian brainrot anthems infest Spotify Viral 50 charts across the world, from Denmark to Sweden to Peru to the Czech Republic.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
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The honor fell to Rival Son’s majestic vocalist Jay Buchanan, who took the stage barefoot, in a maroon suit, and proceeded to devour the angry rock anthem.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Some will experience that genuine psychic break with Zionism that many white South Africans did with their country’s system of oppression.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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As Wednesday’s spirit guide, Weems reminds Wednesday that psychic abilities are ancestral, and that her estrangement from her mother was preventing her from getting her visions back.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kretzmer-Seed felt strongly about the inclusion of psalms from the Hallel service as well as a Spanish-Portuguese prayer for those in captivity, which was originally written for victims of the Spanish Inquisition.—
Marla Brown Fogelman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
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We're bound by the same beliefs, the same psalms, and the same sacred pursuit of liberty.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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The story unfolds in Agra during the 1990s, weaving together romantic elements with comedic beats and supernatural scares.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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From spooky Halloween teen shows to mysteries to supernatural programs, the list has a wide variety of high-quality, compelling shows that will give you all the fall feels.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritual. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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