transcendental

adjective

ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce transcendental (audio)
Definition of transcendentalnext
1
as in supernatural
of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe the concept of the soul as a transcendental entity that exists entirely apart from the body

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature in his speeches he manifests a transcendental ability to inspire people from all points on the political spectrum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 transcendental Torn recently opened for transcendental drone purveyors Sunn O))), and longtime Sunn collaborator Randall Dunn produced imagine. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 1 June 2026 Yet she’s viewed, like everything else in the movie, with an adoration that is nearly transcendental. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2026 In Madonna and Stuart Price’s manifesto for the singer’s forthcoming record, CONFESSIONS II, the duo has tapped into the transcendental properties of dance music. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026 There are some proactive stress management techniques that the ACC endorses, including transcendental meditation and yoga. — Mara Gordon, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for transcendental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transcendental
  1. supernatural
  2. superhuman
  3. paranormal
  4. magical
  5. metaphysical
  6. miraculous
  7. mystical
  8. uncanny
Adjective
  • Related Stories The series follows Jimmy Frank (Franco), an eccentric ad agency CEO who projects confidence and humor while contending with risk and unresolved fallout from his past, including criminal and supernatural threats circling his company.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • And unfortunately for Tom — but luckily for the show’s fans — those supernatural forces have been reawakened, just in time for the summer tourist season.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • So a team at Anthropic thought Claude, free of mortality and blessed with superhuman invulnerability to boredom, should have a go.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But what’s interesting is that there are situations (not necessarily applicable here) where a car with superhuman physics abilities could take steps a human could not.
    — Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of superhuman
Adjective
  • Xiaorou was known on Douyin for her paranormal investigations, visiting ruins and challenging various superstitions.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Shaman and the Showman also produces ParaConn, a paranormal convention that just did this year’s edition in Ansonia last month.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of paranormal
Adjective
  • In the middle of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, the islands are a magical landscape where locals and pilgrims connect with ancient spirits at a sacred waterfall.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Fried practices art history and criticism as a poetic, almost magical endeavor.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of magical
Adjective
  • That Dante lived during both the 13th and 14th centuries — and that Tosches’ movements as his novel’s protagonist take place at the start of the 21st century — means nothing in Schnabel’s meta-metaphysical realm.
    — A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The war on language is more metaphysical than just the policing of proper social justice terminology, Williams argues.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • For buildings like Mount Gilead to be built and continue to prosper for over 100 years is a miraculous feat, Thompson said.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026
  • However, given the legal limitations, studies like the Stanford one are observational and limited to small groups, and the science behind ibogaine’s supposedly miraculous workings remains thin.
    — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of miraculous
Adjective
  • Andrew’s research now largely focuses on how brain function is associated with various mental states—in particular, religious and mystical experiences.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Venturing into the forest with her friend Curtis, Prue stumbles upon a mystical world of humans and talking animals, and must embark on a dangerous adventure to save her brother.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of mystical
Adjective
  • An uncanny coincidence Unusually hot weather in Europe is the root cause of the biological problem.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The only thing consistent about the WNBA is its uncanny ability to get in its own way.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncanny

Browse Nearby Words

transcendent
transcendental
transcendentalist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Transcendental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transcendental. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on transcendental

Nglish: Translation of transcendental for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoron

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All