spiritual 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspir-i-chə-wəl How to pronounce spiritual (audio)
Definition of spiritualnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spiritual

2 of 2

noun

as in hymn
a religious song sang a spiritual at the funeral

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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 spiritual
Adjective
Burning is restorative not only for the ecosystem, Briggs-Cloud wrote, but for the community’s spiritual life. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The spiritual scary nature of the film is the reason for its rally in Catholic countries, specifically Latin America. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
The historic church was recently destroyed by fire, but just like these spirituals, melodies of strength are unwavering and inspiring. — Ukee Washington, CBS News, 19 June 2026 Born in Black communities in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jazz emerged from a blend of African rhythms, blues, spirituals, ragtime, improvisation, and collective storytelling. — Keith Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritual
  1. metaphysical
  2. religious
  3. hymn
  4. psychic
  5. sacred
  6. anthem
  7. supernatural
  8. psalm
Adjective
  • The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • Its accompanying music video, directed by longtime U2 collaborator Anton Corbijn, was filmed in the California desert and satirizes the band as a religious cult in which women do the heavy lifting.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week Hasan’s execution would be livestreamed, eliciting pushback from Democrats, Republicans and religious advocates about the idea.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of religious
Noun
  • At a campaign event held at a college chapel in Lindsborg, Hamilton led the crowd in a hymn and did not mention his opponent by name.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • From the beginning, Dolly’s one request of [country singer] Porter [Wagoner] was that she be allowed to include a hymn or a Gospel song in each of their shows.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of hymn
Adjective
  • The belief that heat can benefit the mind and relieve psychic suffering has a long history across human societies.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
  • On the sixth season (1986-87) of the CBS primetime soap opera Falcon Crest, Gortner drew on his real-life experience to portray Vince Karlotti, a colorful polygamist and faux psychic medium over 17 episodes.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of psychic
Adjective
  • Karen Huger is sober, Wendy Osefo is fighting to reclaim her reputation, Tia’s husband is cheating on her, and Ashley Darby remains committed to the sacred constitutional right to be in everybody’s business but her own.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • My downtime is sacred territory, and the right tech turns it into a downright art form.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sacred
Noun
  • The anthem video features Zankov speaking about tactile and nostalgic references, such as leather softened by a long journey and the feeling of cashmere on the skin, that inspired the collection.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Eleazar forgoes Thom Yorke-style belting, draws out the mournful quaver in the lyrics, and subtly reshapes the anthem in Misty’s image, her commitment to doing things her way.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of anthem
Adjective
  • Directed by Kei Oikawa and adapted from the popular manga by Nagano, the fantasy feature follows the titular character and companions venturing to a remote island retreat before unraveling a supernatural peril.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • One of the last movie projects actor RJ Mitte worked on was a supernatural thriller filmed in Lawrence, not far from the University of Kansas campus.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of supernatural
Noun
  • During a recent morning visit, large groups of Jewish worshippers circumambulated the holy site under close police guard, singing psalms at full volume and openly praying.
    — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Psalm 23 is numbered Psalm 22 in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate because of differences in how the psalms are divided and numbered.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of psalm

Browse Nearby Words

spirits (away or off)
spiritual
spiritualism
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Cite this Entry

“Spiritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritual. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spiritual

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spiritual

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