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
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
Starting with Neptune retrograde in Aries on July 4, this transit will likely create confusion in your love life as the numinous fog surrounds your romantic and creative endeavors.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for numinous
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
Starting with Neptune retrograde in Aries on July 4, this transit will likely create confusion in your love life as the numinous fog surrounds your romantic and creative endeavors.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numinous
Adjective
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Later, a fire at Hall’s grandmother’s house would destroy most of his magic act.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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And judges are being increasingly specific about what those magic words are, according to Janet Ainsworth, professor emerita at Seattle University law school.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 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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Los Angeles, that magical realm of shimmering natural beauty, was befouled by smog — maybe forever.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Claire meets Cherokee healer Adawehi, who dreams of Claire becoming a white raven with magical powers.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numinous. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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