PHENOMENAL Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

phenomenal

adjective

fi-ˈnä-mə-nᵊl

Definition of phenomenal

as in extraordinary

being out of the ordinary the phenomenal growth that the suburb has experienced over the last decade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in superhuman

being so extraordinary or abnormal as to suggest powers which violate the laws of nature the phenomenal ability to remember the names of thousands of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Technical transfer for Cadillac and throughout the wider group is part of the mission, but anyone who has attended an F1 race recently will know that the brand-building possibilities are phenomenal—think Coachella with a motor race attached. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 But this is Cruise’s star vehicle, and his performance is phenomenal—on par with 1999’s Magnolia. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026 Her knowledge of the scene here is truly phenomenal, and her passion for eating out, her home city, and meeting new people is fantastically infectious. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Simmons made some phenomenal throws all over the field, including to his primary receiver, Cayden Lee. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for phenomenal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phenomenal

Adjective

View gallery - 4 images For all the extraordinary things that consumer 3D printers can produce, changing color has remained a surprisingly messy business.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Explore its waterfalls, glaciers and volcanic landscapes, and treat any aurora sightings as an extraordinary bonus.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of extraordinary

Adjective

In polyphonic music such as Bach, Van Bloss offers a superhuman degree of precision and individuality.

— Mike Hamersly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
The Dodgers entered the postseason with the best rotation of any team on paper, led by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who proved to be practically superhuman in the World Series last year.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of superhuman

Adjective

When machines can instantly replicate the average, the only true moat is the exceptional.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Adjective

Superposition is an uncanny aspect of quantum mechanics that allows particles to be in multiple states at once—such as literally here and there simultaneously.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Cops released surveillance photos of the shooter, whose getup bore an uncanny resemblance to the Marvel character Deadpool.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncanny

Adjective

Six months after Vincent’s suicide, Theo died from the ravages of syphilis, leaving Jo a young widow with a baby to support, not much money, and an unusual inheritance—Vincent’s paintings—more than 400 in total.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
While his neighbors weren’t alarmed enough by the unusual sight to call security, Abrams wasn’t as lucky during filming at Radford Studios in Studio City.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusual

Adjective

But the revelation has also raised questions about what Leo knew and when, given his poignant prayers in late September at a French shrine where Catholics believe miraculous cures have occurred.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of miraculous

Adjective

But only United States has this unique intelligence to say, to tell us, to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles.

— NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Revamping a historic building with unique architecture has posed some difficulties, said Karademas.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of unique

Adjective

But these magical, convention-defying places are also one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
While the name sounds dramatic, Goble said there is nothing magical about crossing that temperature threshold.

— Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of magical

Browse Nearby Words

phenomena

phenomenal

phenomenon

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“Phenomenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phenomenal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of phenomenal

adjective

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