1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an editor with a preternatural sense of what will interest the book-buying public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supernatural
of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe
an investigator of preternatural phenomena
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature
a preternatural ability to predict how the stock market will perform
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 preternatural
Comments Director and former actor Ron Howard may have landed his first series regular gig on The Andy Griffith Show at the ripe old age of 5, but even a preternatural talent may get rusty.
—
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
There, his preternatural musical ability sets off a chain of supernatural events.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
Anastasio spoke about the experience with an almost preternatural gratitude.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Kaufman had a preternatural ability to remain unperturbed by time passing, even when his audience became disgruntled, hostile or upset.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
There, his preternatural musical ability sets off a chain of supernatural events.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
Anastasio spoke about the experience with an almost preternatural gratitude.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Kaufman had a preternatural ability to remain unperturbed by time passing, even when his audience became disgruntled, hostile or upset.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preternatural
Adjective
-
Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things.—
Kendra Davenport,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
But things are brewing around another movie title, the 2022 supernatural horror thriller What Lies Beneath, which Johnson executive produced.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
30 May 2025
-
More than just a haunted house novel, this is a supernatural psychological thriller.—
Gabino Iglesias,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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
Adjective
-
While the timing off the surgery was a bit unusual, Tremble’s importance to the lineup — and the quick turnaround for rehabilitation — made the decision palatable to the organization.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2025
-
Those events may have informed the decision by Merseyside Police, which also responded to the Southport attacks, to quickly release the information that the suspect was White – an unusual step in the early hours of an investigation.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Though no official explanations tie paranormal activity to any of the more than 200 deaths reported since 1994, the frequency and nature of fatal incidents have reinforced its haunted reputation.—
Jenna deJong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
-
Hudson is best known for playing paranormal exterminator Winston Zeddemore in 1984's Ghostbusters, its 1989 sequel, 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and 2024's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
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
Adjective
-
The companies that invest in neurodiversity today are unlocking game-changing innovation, future-proofing their organizations and setting a new standard for what an exceptional workplace looks like.—
Ben Semmes,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
To win the event, Scheffler compensated with his exceptional iron play (1.189 strokes gained approaching the green) and his skills around the green (1.208 strokes gained).—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, the music is still transcendental across the board.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
From transcendental meditation to online shopping, these are the pop star's must-haves for touring.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preternatural. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share