SPIRITUALNESS Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

spiritual 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspir-i-chə-wəl

Definition of spiritual

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

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

For Donnie Soddu, a shamanic practitioner and founder of High Light Rituals, the talisman is a physical object that’s been given a spiritual purpose. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026 The community advocated a spiritual life and represented their idea of an earthly paradise. — Literary Hub, 16 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

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

In January of 2025, at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious gathering.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Native American tribes say the approximately 520-acre site in Virginia is sacred.

— Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sacred

Noun

The inquiry asked about the NBA’s role in the matter, possible discipline and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
There are no fist-pumping anthems, blister-raising leads or Homme’s cool-AF braggadocio at play here.

— Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of anthem

Adjective

Surprise, surprise, the crime had a supernatural basis—and is linked to a number of others, all brutally depicted in reels of film left in his attic.

— Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Rather than relying on supernatural creatures or elaborate mythology, Fears to Fathom builds suspense around seemingly ordinary situations that take increasingly terrifying turns.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 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

Cite this Entry

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“Spiritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritual. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiritual

adjective

noun

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