phenomenal

adjective

fi-ˈnä-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce phenomenal (audio)
Definition of phenomenalnext
1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary the phenomenal growth that the suburb has experienced over the last decade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature the phenomenal ability to remember the names of thousands of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Leavesden on Supergirl, with Craig Gillespie at the helm and the phenomenal Milly Alcock as our Kara Zor-El. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 May 2025 Jazz cats get this and appreciate the lengthy spotlights given to Krall’s bandmates — bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton and guitarist Anthony Wilson — all of whom are phenomenal players with so much to say on their instruments that is absolutely worth hearing. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 17 May 2025 The results were phenomenal, not just in terms of market share – but in creating genuine cultural impact. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 May 2025 Pickens is a phenomenal talent at a premium position who is at the front end of his prime. —Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for phenomenal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
  1. extraordinary
  2. superhuman
  3. exceptional
  4. uncanny
  5. unusual
  6. miraculous
  7. unique
  8. magical
Adjective
  • The show will feature a wide range of extraordinary cars, trucks, and vehicles along with live music.
    — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things.
    — Kendra Davenport, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Peter Dinklage plays the title role, a janitor who becomes a CEO-fighting vigilante after falling into toxic waste and transforming into a mutant with superhuman size and strength.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
  • Seriously, some of his recoveries seem superhuman, like film of prime Carl Lewis was spliced into the game tape.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of superhuman
Adjective
  • The site is exceptional: The North Branch of the Chicago River winds through its full length, offering an opportunity to weave parkland through the development.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • All of our leathers are carefully selected from the finest tanneries in the world for their exceptional quality and functional capability.
    — Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • As an escaped convict posing as a beloved preacher, and as his gentle, upright twin, Robeson embodies a devastating split between appearance and truth, and whose uncanny doubling plays out in a community shaped by racial violence, spiritual deception, and economic precarity.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
  • Many of these films, the recent Snow White most nefarious amongst them, are leaden with uncanny valley CGI, bizarre green screen devotion and a surprising lack of artistic intent.
    — Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Definition of uncanny
Adjective
  • But the boys also casually tell stories about the deprivations of their previous life, a reminder of how unusual their childhoods have been by American standards.
    — Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR, 27 May 2025
  • Listen to this article The Rent Guidelines Board lowered the range of potential rent increases for some 2 million New Yorkers in an unusual redo vote Tuesday — a move that comes as the issue of freezing rents has taken center stage in the contentious mayoral race.
    — Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • There’s conflict in everything, in the clashing of worlds and the fight for a world that makes sense to believe in, yet miraculous poetry and optimism somehow, too.
    — Ella Kemp, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
  • Indiana pulled off a miraculous comeback victory that night, and Miller scored 25 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter.
    — James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Definition of miraculous
Adjective
  • But that physical training couldn’t prepare him for the unique psychological experience of reaching the top of the world--and then returning safely.
    — Mark Joyella, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • This is not unique to Arizona, Famiglietti said, with similar signs of disappearing groundwater happening in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley in California.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Definition of unique
Adjective
  • And just like in those films, the magical creatures steal the spotlight.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were the first actors to play the magical roles, across eight films from 2001 to 2011.
    — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

phenomena
phenomenal
phenomenon
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Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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