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

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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

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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 The movie is a metaphysical mystery, a sort of American gothic in which a warm and inviting old suburban house becomes the shivery site of a haunting, a confinement, and a menace. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025 Given the baroque language of the text, not to mention the metaphysical events within the narrative itself, Dieter’s exact exploits remain open for interpretation. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Feb. 2025 As in Dante, the metaphysical landscape is taken seriously and is carefully documented, as if the reader might someday go there and need to know the rules. — Elisa Gonzalez, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 Get witchy Looking for something more metaphysical? — Kale Williams, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphysical
  1. theoretical
  2. supernatural
  3. paranormal
  4. abstract
  5. transcendental
  6. conceptual
  7. mystical
  8. mental
Adjective
  • This isn’t just theoretical—Ben & Jerry’s founders have openly discussed buying back the brand from Unilever.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The best theoretical fit thus far is known as the Lambda CDM model, which incorporates both a weakly interacting cold dark matter and dark energy.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • The film represents a bold examination of the overseas Filipino worker experience, using supernatural horror as a lens to explore the emotional toll of migration.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The trailer soon shows just how those supernatural entities unfold, beginning with a sighting of two dogs in the forest that stand still in their tracks, as if frozen in time.
    — Jen Juneau, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of supernatural
Adjective
  • Both incarnations are medium-sized humanoids displaying big heads and uncanny paranormal powers.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Fans of mystery-box shows pondered whether Yellowjackets’ setting was paranormal.
    — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of paranormal
Adjective
  • The pair tested their approach on the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC-AGI), an unbeaten visual benchmark created in 2019 by machine learning researcher François Chollet to test AI systems' abstract reasoning skills.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Each shot looks like a page out of a cursed tome of twisted, postmodern fairy tales, the images forbidding and slightly abstract.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • The collection was crafted using dreamy textiles including chiffon, organza and satin—essential in the creation of a transcendental atmosphere, with each look practically floating down the runway.
    — Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • His first two tasks of the day: 20 minutes of transcendental meditation ... followed by four shots of espresso.
    — Axios, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
Definition of transcendental
Adjective
  • Buyers are still looking for the most commercial pieces, without taking the whole range or more conceptual looks.
    — Rhonda Richford, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Their dexterity in formal skills is matched by their conceptual prowess.
    — Shantay Robinson, ARTnews.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • The entry pathway is suspended over a pool of lotus flowers, followed by a mystical winding road shaded by the canopy (where a chase scene was filmed), and the open-air lobby which overlooks the resort’s statement design piece: a long pool filled with floating lotuses.
    — Anna Haines, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • There's no defendants who are Nazis or Russians or silly, unknown, mystical creatures.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of mystical
Adjective
  • Williamson said earlier this week that his hamstring is completely healed, but his mental state remains a work in progress.
    — oregonlive, oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023
  • Sign up That Torrance pushed Vial and Eduardo to such mental anguish does not surprise immigrant-justice advocates.
    — María Inés Taracena, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023
Definition of mental

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Cite this Entry

“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphysical. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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