as in magic
having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers
some have sensed a numinous energy in the landscape around Sedona, Arizona
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Recent Examples of numinous
Among the drawings encountered just after Chocolate Room is Unidentified Hit Record, where a black vinyl LP hovers like a six-track mandala amid a numinous light show.
—
Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023
Buddy Holly’s puppy love malt shop rock n’ roll repurposed for this numinous oath.
—Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023
The filmmaker’s signal accomplishment is to reveal Gia’s experiences, at civic and intimate levels, with friends and with strangers, as the numinous stuff of her inner life.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 July 2023
Whereas some fantasists use magic as a deus ex machina which transforms their narrative into farce in short order, at his point a little numinous wonder would do the characters of the A Song of Ice and Fire a world of good.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011
See all Example Sentences for numinous 
Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023
Buddy Holly’s puppy love malt shop rock n’ roll repurposed for this numinous oath.
—Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023
The filmmaker’s signal accomplishment is to reveal Gia’s experiences, at civic and intimate levels, with friends and with strangers, as the numinous stuff of her inner life.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 July 2023
Whereas some fantasists use magic as a deus ex machina which transforms their narrative into farce in short order, at his point a little numinous wonder would do the characters of the A Song of Ice and Fire a world of good.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011
See all Example Sentences for numinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numinous
Adjective
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The magic man at this time of year, for the past several years, has been him.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
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Editor's Tip Just don’t forget to reserve some pasta water, because that’s the magic ingredient that brings the whole dish together.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Healy Lake members have long considered their dogs to be mystic companions, according to Combs.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
4 Dec. 2024
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But there is also the slow minimalism of Morton Feldman and the manic yet patient seeking of Italy’s mystic count Giacinto Scelsi, in the twentieth century.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Numinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numinous. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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