superhuman

adjective

su·​per·​hu·​man ˌsü-pər-ˈhyü-mən 

-ˈyü-

1

: being above the human : divine

superhuman beings

2

: exceeding normal human power, size, or capability : herculean

a superhuman effort

superhuman strength

also : having such power, size, or capability

superhumanity

ˌsü-pər-hyü-ˈma-nə-tē 

-yü-

noun

superhumanly

ˌsü-pər-ˈhyü-mən-lē 

-ˈyü-

adverb

superhumanness

ˌsü-pər-ˈhyü-mən-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• magical
• miraculous
• phenomenal
• preternatural
• supernatural
• supernormal
• transcendent
• transcendental
• uncanny
• unearthly

Examples of superhuman in a Sentence

The character in the film acquires superhuman powers.

It will take a superhuman effort for them to win the championship.

Recent Examples on the Web

The New York Jets are getting a superhuman effort out of starting right tackle Morgan Moses, who is playing through some painful injuries right now. —Jesse Reed, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

After he’s bitten by a radioactive spider during a high school field trip, nerdy photographer Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) begins to exhibit superhuman abilities. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Its proponents often trafficked in prophetic predictions that AI would eventually bring about the dawn of superhuman intelligence. —Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024

In six at-bats against Darvish during last week’s National League Division Series, Ohtani went hitless, striking out three times while looking atypically mortal after his superhuman regular season. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

superhuman

adjective

su·​per·​hu·​man ˌsü-pər-ˈhyü-mən 

-ˈyü-

1

: being above the human : divine

superhuman beings

2

: going beyond normal human power, size, or capability

a superhuman effort

superhumanly adverb

superhumanness noun