metaphysical

adjective

ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce metaphysical (audio)
Definition of metaphysicalnext
1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea a work that deals with such metaphysical questions as the very nature of knowledge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supernatural
of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe belief in a metaphysical world beyond the one in which we live

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 metaphysical Majdi described his son’s birth in near-metaphysical terms, his own grief as shattering. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 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, 23 July 2026 This spiritual, metaphysical, and downright weird show is ostensibly about a nun’s quest to find and destroy the Holy Grail, which will result in the deactivation of the powerful, pervasive AI that gives the series its name. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphysical
  1. theoretical
  2. supernatural
  3. abstract
  4. paranormal
  5. conceptual
  6. transcendental
  7. mental
  8. mystical
Adjective
  • David Sloan is a theoretical physicist at Lancaster University and the Chief Scientific Officer of the Foundational Questions Institute.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Far from being a theoretical threat, at least one active attack is already exploiting the mixup.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Dark movie theaters, or creepy home basements, are the classic venues of choice for those who love supernatural scares.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But in between the jump scares and supernatural horrors is a story of motherhood and confronting the past.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • But the film doesn’t have to be abstract and leave you longing and searching for answers and so forth.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Physicists asking these questions have recently focused on an even more abstract space that seems especially well suited for their purposes.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • An entity behind the disturbance grows increasingly fixated on the family’s daughter, prompting two paranormal investigators to dig into what becomes a traumatic case.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Like any group with more than 50 members, there have been a few paranormal personality clashes.
    — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of paranormal
Adjective
  • As previously announced, the event which raises funds for amfAR’s mission to support HIV research and improve global health, will also honor conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović with amfAR’s Award of Inspiration.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • An art adviser who doesn’t like Lalanne or the type of person who is drawn to them said that their worst pieces have no conceptual content.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • As many an influencer has learned, that identity bestows the transcendental rewards of unconditional love—and plenty of new branding opportunities.
    — Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • Stablecoins have become one of crypto’s most transcendental inventions.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of transcendental
Adjective
  • Subsequent research actually backed him up, finding that habitual calculator use before students had internalized basic arithmetic weakened their mental fluency and fact retrieval.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • When discussing his current mental state, Jake was forthcoming about how difficult this time period has been.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of mental
Adjective
  • Musashi becomes unwillingly bound to the mystical Oni Gauntlet.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The family lived in Ury, France, south of Paris, near Fontainebleau, which is famous for its royal palace and almost mystical woods.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of mystical

Browse Nearby Words

metaphysic
metaphysical
metaphysics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphysical. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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 dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All