1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an editor with a preternatural sense of what will interest the book-buying public
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in supernatural
of, relating to, or being part of a reality beyond the observable physical universe
an investigator of preternatural phenomena
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in superhuman
being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature
a preternatural ability to predict how the stock market will perform
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preternatural
His unlikely nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate and subsequent victory over incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election spoke to Carter's relentless drive and preternatural self-assuredness.
—
Mark Updegrove, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024
To make a movie like The Brutalist requires such a superhuman level of self-confidence that it might as well be accompanied by other preternatural powers.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024
However, Freddy is unlike other cookie-cutter slasher killers, as the preternatural villain slays his victims in their dreams.
—Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024
The main character, Hiram, seemed like a Coates stand-in, a man who has a preternatural capacity to remember and becomes the keeper of his people’s stories.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preternatural 
Mark Updegrove, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024
To make a movie like The Brutalist requires such a superhuman level of self-confidence that it might as well be accompanied by other preternatural powers.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024
However, Freddy is unlike other cookie-cutter slasher killers, as the preternatural villain slays his victims in their dreams.
—Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024
The main character, Hiram, seemed like a Coates stand-in, a man who has a preternatural capacity to remember and becomes the keeper of his people’s stories.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preternatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preternatural
Adjective
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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
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Highlighting the life and career of one of the most influential Black entertainers of the early 20th century, NOBODY explores Williams’ extraordinary rise from Bahamian immigrant to central figure in America’s vaudeville circuit.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That chasm is also home to a supernatural force that cannot be allowed to get out, under any circumstances.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
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Following the quieter response to his first two films, Perkins broke into mainstream success with last year’s supernatural serial killer flick Longlegs, his first in a three-film deal for Neon.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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As Moore explained, the character also no longer has such mutant abilities as superhuman strength and speed.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Not fun: conflating all unusual, standalone, departure, or otherwise distinctive episodes into the term bottle episode.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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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
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Joo-Sil also appeared role in the K-drama The Uncanny Counter, which follows a group of paranormal hunters on the search for evil spirits from the afterlife.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes,
2 Feb. 2025
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Hosted as a live show by the ‘real’ Specs and Tucker, the actual paranormal investigators who inspired the original movie, the event soon takes a turn for the terrifying.—
John Wenzel,
The Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Those retouching features can look uncanny, though, and are processor-intensive.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The forward owner’s suite is also full beam, offering up space and exceptional water views.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
11 Feb. 2025
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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
Adjective
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His first two tasks of the day: 20 minutes of transcendental meditation ... followed by four shots of espresso.—
Axios,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
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The director was also a vocal supporter of transcendental meditation.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near preternatural
Cite this Entry
“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preternatural. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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