superhuman

adjective

su·​per·​hu·​man ˌsü-pər-ˈhyü-mən How to pronounce superhuman (audio)
-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 noun
superhumanly adverb
superhumanness noun

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
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.
Victor fine-tunes his research, and eventually succeeds in bringing to life a patchwork man of superhuman strength, put together with body parts plucked from corpses left behind on a battlefield. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025 As medical students, it's seen as a strength to stay up all night, work 100 hours a week, say yes to everything asked of you, and perform your duties with an almost superhuman level of perfection, Ehrenfeld said. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025 In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025 John Henryism involves pressure not just to be good but to be impossibly good—superhuman, better than a machine, whether the machine is literal (the steam drill) or figurative (systemic racism). Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for superhuman

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of superhuman was in 1599

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Superhuman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superhuman. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

superhuman

adjective
su·​per·​hu·​man ˌsü-pər-ˈhyü-mən How to pronounce superhuman (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on superhuman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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