meta·phys·i·cal
ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl 
1
: of or relating to metaphysics
metaphysical truth
metaphysical speculation
2
a
: of or relating to the transcendent (see transcendent sense 1) or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses
… fleeing from experience to a metaphysical realm …—
John Dewey
John Dewey
b
: supernatural
… fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd …—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: highly abstract or abstruse
4
often Metaphysical
: of or relating to poetry especially of the early 17th century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and marked by unconventional figurative language
metaphysical poets
: a metaphysical poet of the 17th century
Synonyms of metaphysical
Examples of metaphysical in a Sentence
Adjective
a metaphysical world of spirits
a work that deals with such metaphysical questions as the very nature of knowledge
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Mystical, metaphysical, and frequently touched by whimsy, his boundary-breaking work reflected his abiding interest in Surrealists such as Joseph Cornell, Giorgio di Chirico, and René Magritte.
—News Desk, Artforum, 12 June 2026
Some of the dialogue feels like Harrison’s own metaphysical musings rather than characters’ speech.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
The metaphysical shop and apothecary, located on Hollywood Way, is featured in the film and name-checked as the spot where Bear buys his One Wish Willow for Nikki.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
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Adjective
Rationality lurks in theology from the beginning, just as philosophy never shakes off its yearning for the metaphysical.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Mystical, metaphysical, and frequently touched by whimsy, his boundary-breaking work reflected his abiding interest in Surrealists such as Joseph Cornell, Giorgio di Chirico, and René Magritte.
—News Desk, Artforum, 12 June 2026
Some of the dialogue feels like Harrison’s own metaphysical musings rather than characters’ speech.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
The metaphysical shop and apothecary, located on Hollywood Way, is featured in the film and name-checked as the spot where Bear buys his One Wish Willow for Nikki.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphysical
Cite this Entry
“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphysical. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metaphysical
adjective
meta·phys·i·cal
ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-i-kəl
1
: of, relating to, or based on metaphysics
3
: difficult to understand : abstract
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