phenomenal

adjective

phe·​nom·​e·​nal fi-ˈnä-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce phenomenal (audio)
: relating to or being a phenomenon: such as
a
: known through the senses rather than through thought or intuition
b
: concerned with phenomena rather than with hypotheses
phenomenally adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for phenomenal

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

Examples of phenomenal in a Sentence

The catch soared year after year, reaching a peak of 1.6 billion pounds in 1956. But not even the fish's phenomenal fecundity could sustain them under this industrial onslaught. Bruce Franklin, Mother Jones, March & April 2006
The region's two main communities are Camden, with its very old money and … five-star restaurants and phenomenal B&Bs, and Rockland, a serious old fishing town that hosts the Festival every summer in historic Harbor Park, right along the water. David Foster Wallace, Gourmet, August 2004
Physical prowess aside, the concentration required on the beam is phenomenal. Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 18 Oct. 2000
Given his phenomenal poll numbers in a race he has not yet officially entered … Julia Reed, Vogue, February 1999
the phenomenal growth that the suburb has experienced over the last decade the phenomenal ability to remember the names of thousands of people
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Sleeping up to eight guests and with a planing hull design that returns a top speed of 30 knots, the post-race yacht parties must be phenomenal—as well as the Ibiza mini-breaks Hamilton takes during the off-season months. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 24 May 2025 Precision engine and chassis tuning make for a phenomenal driving experience right off the showroom floor in many new cars, with a top example being the current, G80-generation BMW M3. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 But despite John Woo’s formidable resume (Hard Boiled, The Killer, Face/Off), this is, by popular consensus, the weakest Mission: Impossible movie, albeit one with some phenomenal sequences. Will Harris, EW.com, 23 May 2025 Defensively, he's been phenomenal, finishing the 2021 season with 26 Outs Above Average, the 2022 season with 14 Outs Above Average and the 2023 season with 9 Outs Above Average. Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for phenomenal

Word History

Etymology

see phenomenon

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phenomenal was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenomenal. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

phenomenal

adjective
phe·​nom·​e·​nal fi-ˈnäm-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce phenomenal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a phenomenon
2
: very remarkable : extraordinary
a phenomenal memory
phenomenally adverb

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