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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

Example 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 On a more positive note, Chrishell arrives at breakfast wearing a phenomenal little hat. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025 Obviously, if Daniels continues his phenomenal, mistake-free play, the Commanders can easily win this game. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025 Astronomers have found winds on a distant world that blow at a phenomenal 5.6 miles per second (9 kilometers per second), or 20,500 miles per hour (33,000 kilometers per hour) — the fastest winds ever measured on a planet. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2025 Listeners can also look forward to some phenomenal collaborations between some of the industry’s best. Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for phenomenal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal
Adjective
  • Drivers hover by the gates to transport you off on a moment’s notice: the spa, paddle, pickle, and tennis courts, the local waterfalls, the extraordinary hikes, the water sports, chocolate making.
    Giles Hattersley, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
  • There remain several unanswered questions about the lead-up to the extraordinary decision, including how many times Mr. Spiro and Mr. Bove interacted.
    Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • At the heart and soul of James Mangold’s time capsule stands Timothée Chalamet, whose embodiment of Dylan’s superhuman genius – and his human frailties – brings electric life to an iconic enigma.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
  • As Moore explained, the character also no longer has such mutant abilities as superhuman strength and speed.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Photo by Rita Harper Day 4: Fly over alligators, bite into barracuda, and hunt antiques Grab a quick (but exceptional) quiche at the hotel Columns before a 20-minute drive to the Maurepas Swamp, northwest of New Orleans.
    Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The forward owner’s suite is also full beam, offering up space and exceptional water views.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Du Maurier makes good use of many of the usual tropes of the Gothic genre, especially uncanny doubling: Relentlessly and unfavorably compared to the Manderley estate’s bewitching former mistress, the nameless narrator is pushed to the brink of sanity by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers.
    M.L. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Those retouching features can look uncanny, though, and are processor-intensive.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Local business ads sometimes ran to 10 pages with 30 plus Christmas business ads not being unusual and 12- 14 bars invited you to visit them.
    Bob Roepke, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Such views are unusual, given how negative Chinese public opinion is about Japan, and vice versa.
    Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In a miraculous fall from the height of fame, Faithfull lost custody of her child and wound up homeless on the streets of London.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
  • By the wannabe Yoda’s logic, as successful as a network like NBC was at the time, within a few years, one of its lesser rivals would almost surely mount a miraculous comeback and leave the Peacock looking plucked.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The limited-edition collaboration brings a unique fusion of heritage and innovation, where Lee’s American legacy meets Blue Blue’s Japanese artisanal techniques.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Each location has unique factors including weather patterns, traffic volume and geographic features that trainees must master before becoming certified.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • More recently, on Jan. 5, the Drift star had a magical entrance at the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
  • My home, which was small and charming, had this magical garden in the back with over 30 fruit trees.
    The Editors of AD, Architectural Digest, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near phenomenal

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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