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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective phenomenal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of phenomenal are corporeal, material, objective, physical, and sensible. While all these words mean "of or belonging to actuality," phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

When would corporeal be a good substitute for phenomenal?

Although the words corporeal and phenomenal have much in common, corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

When could material be used to replace phenomenal?

The synonyms material and phenomenal are sometimes interchangeable, but material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

When is objective a more appropriate choice than phenomenal?

The meanings of objective and phenomenal largely overlap; however, objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

When is it sensible to use physical instead of phenomenal?

The words physical and phenomenal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

In what contexts can sensible take the place of phenomenal?

While the synonyms sensible and phenomenal are close in meaning, sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

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 phenomenal And he’s done a phenomenal job of just sticking with it. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025 Adaptation strategies are key The Industrial Revolution spurred phenomenal increases in technology, wealth, and well-being, but also unleashed a process that is pushing our climate out of the Goldilocks zone that enabled the Industrial Revolution in the first place. Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 With a phenomenal first time feature director (@lawrencelamont). Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2025 The Norwegian striker, whose previous contract was set to run until 2027, has been scoring at a phenomenal rate since joining City two and a half years ago, amassing 111 goals across 126 appearances. George Ramsay, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for phenomenal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
Adjective
  • The course is part of a series of extraordinary adaptations that America’s military is making amid one of its greatest recruiting shortfalls since the draft was abolished, more than fifty years ago.
    Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The analysis predicts an extraordinary reversal in housing fortunes for Americans — nearly $1.5 trillion in asset losses over the next 30 years.
    Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • If so, human production will be of the superhuman variety such that fewer babies being born will individually produce on the level of hundreds and thousands of babies from the present and past.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • And still Notre Dame closed it to 31-23 late, but could not contain superhuman freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
    Chris Branch, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • By permitting exceptional drivers from outside the traditional NASCAR fold automatic entry into races, the governing body aims to boost spectator interest and broaden the sport's appeal.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Verdict: Feature-Rich and Easy to Use A comprehensive set of capabilities, combined with exceptional voice and video meeting quality, make 8x8 Work worth considering for your SMB telephony needs.
    John Brandon, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet another gut-wrenching scenario for a team that now has won an uncanny 17 straight one-possession games.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The work proved to have uncanny resonances with the catastrophe that overtook Pacific Palisades and Altadena on January 7th.
    Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • While some of the operations may not have been unusual, ICE averaged 311 daily arrests in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. — Associated Press Trump says inflation isn’t his No. 1 issue.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Hegseth showed up in person for the vote, which is unusual.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Prime Video's popular superhero show, which releases Thursday February 6, 2025 at 12am Pacific Time (PT) on the streaming service, has once again achieved the miraculous score of a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Completing the Life Time Miami Half-Marathon is an achievement for anyone but for Farouk Gomati, crossing the finish line Sunday will mark the culmination of an 11-year journey that is nothing short of miraculous.
    Ethan Mannello, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Young summed up his circumstances by putting a unique twist on his name.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Naperville’s railway station occupies a unique position in our urban environment as a gateway to our city and as a link to other communities and to Chicago.
    Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Set in New York City with a magical sixth borough, the Unsleeping City party had to battle monsters that crossed over from other D20 campaigns.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
  • This is why Venusian themes (love, beauty, creativity, pleasure and relationships) tend to feel magical and otherworldly during this time.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near phenomenal

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

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