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
In an old-growth forest, the beauty of old trees intertwines with the bodies of those trying to save them, creating something numinous.
—
Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead of dotting the same black scrim, like pinholes in a two-dimensional theater backdrop, the stars were scattered through space at dramatically varying distances, a vast swarm of them filling every last corner of an even vaster, more numinous, and emphatically three-dimensional darkness.
—Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Though also suspended, Bo Bardi’s building generously offers a sheltering agora for all people on the street rather than a numinous temple for rarefied art audiences.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In this numinous world, visitors come by for death bed reckonings, and the CEO will have many scores to settle.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead of dotting the same black scrim, like pinholes in a two-dimensional theater backdrop, the stars were scattered through space at dramatically varying distances, a vast swarm of them filling every last corner of an even vaster, more numinous, and emphatically three-dimensional darkness.
—Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Though also suspended, Bo Bardi’s building generously offers a sheltering agora for all people on the street rather than a numinous temple for rarefied art audiences.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In this numinous world, visitors come by for death bed reckonings, and the CEO will have many scores to settle.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numinous
Adjective
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The shine of this magic trick hasn’t worn off, and my favorite place to encounter it is in a truly harrowing adventure story.—
Dan Zak,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
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In the midst of one of their classic pranks, Ivy (Temple) and Ollie (Jordan) stumble into a magic flower and awaken in each other's body.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Sphere visuals - always a highlight - didn't disappoint with moving images of old yearbook photos, a dip to the bottom of the ocean and a magical mystery carnival ride.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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These marvelous, magical creatures that live in the ocean.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numinous. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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