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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
  • Without Permission profiles the extraordinary, LA based, Chicano art group ASCO, and through a genre-defying approach, reimagines what is possible today in art and cinema while celebrating an iconoclastic group that was far ahead of its time.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
  • This is until Monday night, not something that was ever contested by a president who signed an order that was extraordinary, unprecedented and upended the rule of law.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 22 Jan. 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
  • America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Vogue Weddings An all-access invitation to the exceptional and inspirational, plus planning tips and advice.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The video brings to mind the claims made in Mark Fisher’s Capitalist Realism, in which Fisher proposed that capitalism has the uncanny ability to subsume all critiques into itself.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • When spending time with them, Brunelle observed uncanny similarities in their behavior and interests.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 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
  • Not even the most miraculous shot of his life was enough to earn Nikola Jokic the fourth quarter off this time.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025
  • No, this isn’t a miraculous leadership makeover that infuses you with supernatural energy.
    Liz Guthridge, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Brokers are also finding unique ways to increase inventory.
    Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Despite its already historic strides in the sport of women’s basketball, Friday night’s game itself provided a unique brand of excitement from tip-off.
    C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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

Thesaurus Entries Near phenomenal

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on phenomenal

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