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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

Examples 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 Two of the movies feature both Adams and Julianne Moore, and what’s really depressing is that such a phenomenal pairing got wasted on hapless material. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024 The management team has done a phenomenal job in terms of increasing margins. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024 And even if an Era 500 is somewhere in the pipeline, that won’t make this speaker sound any less phenomenal. Chris Welch, The Verge, 2 Dec. 2024 Ayorinde and Thomas are phenomenal throughout, brilliantly portraying the mental, physical, and emotional turmoil of living under relentless threat. Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for phenomenal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
Adjective
  • Surveillance footage captured fireballs hitting the ground with extraordinary speed.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • These extraordinary characterizations complicate love over mere pity.
    Armond White, National Review, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The symptoms associated with people high on those synthetic drugs are nearly identical to symptoms of people said to be experiencing excited delirium — violence and aggression, paranoia, psychosis, superhuman strength, hyperthermia and even death.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
  • More recent iterations have given him power replication, voice mimicry, size alteration, density control, and superhuman strength.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • So those things are most challenging to teach: getting off the ball, range, making exceptional plays, his pre-pitch timing.
    Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The hotel’s exceptional attention to detail in indigenous design and tailored service, along with its commitment to sustainability and the preservation of the local ecosystem, adds an enriching layer to your stay.
    Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • An eighth-grader cross-legged on the floor of his parents’ bedroom, clicking the channel to IFC and finding the trio of uncanny coincidences that make up the film’s prologue.
    Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The video should appear at once utterly convincing, ensuring that the effect of the transition into the live stage scene that follows feels somehow uncanny.
    Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • While most incidents have come in New Jersey, other states, including Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, have also reported unusual drone activity to law enforcement.
    Maya Homan, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • But when physicians look at a pool of unusual test results, the chaotic sequencing pattern could flag whether something more serious may be going on and the mother could benefit from additional testing, Bianchi said.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This is a 16-time Funny Car champion, mind you, whose latest chapter reads like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster, complete with fire, fury, and a miraculous escape.
    Greg Engle, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Around the same time, The County Buzz – the high school sports magazine Etienne launched in 2005 – made a miraculous comeback.
    Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This Week Between January and June of 2024, there was a 31% increase in the number of unique promo codes issued by retailers.
    Rhett Power, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Vehicles come equipped with unique shock absorbers to cushion the impact from a grueling rock climb.
    Morgan Korn, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Here are a few ideas for quick travel options to go to places that will surely be covered in beautiful, magical snow this winter.
    Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Lights Under Louisville, located in the Louisville Mega Cavern, is a magical drive-through holiday light show situated 100 feet below ground.
    Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near phenomenal

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on phenomenal

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