philosophical

adjective

variants also philosophic
Definition of philosophicalnext
as in analytic
being, given to, or marked by deep thinking especially about fundamental questions of the world A philosophical person by nature, she spent many hours in deep thought about the great mysteries of life.

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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 philosophical After the close win over the Cardinals, Harbaugh, the Giants coach, who signed a five-year contract worth a hundred million dollars in January, was philosophical. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 The team works with local hospitals to negotiate special rates for their patients who are Amish or members of the broader Plain community, a group whose philosophical beliefs keep them from enrolling in formal health insurance plans. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 The problem of longevity possesses philosophical and practical contradictions, now heightened by the gradual disappearance of artists of Serra’s generation and the uncertain posthumous legacy of their work. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Diaz centers music as the emotional vehicle that provides a philosophical structure for the character tropes and in turn psychologically seduces the audience to internalize certain ideas of social dynamics. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for philosophical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philosophical
  1. analytic
  2. logical
  3. rational
  4. serious
  5. introspective
Adjective
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • For as well as circulating information, print spread habits of analytic thought.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of analytic
Adjective
  • Perhaps the squad took his ball-respecting mantra to its logical extreme, seemingly reluctant to sully it by smashing it into the net, with Chelsea recording the biggest xG underperformance in the Premier League during his brief tenure.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The rebuttal, though methodical and logical, was little more than a momentary speed bump for the runaway popularity of the psychedelic bread story.
    — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • Sometimes our rational understanding of life and death bumps into a seemingly impossible presence.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Americans cast English severity as evidence of an old, corrupt political order and imagined their own laws as rational, proportionate and suited to free citizens.
    — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • The subject is of particular interest at CBS News, where Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has repeatedly encouraged the network’s journalists to dedicate serious resources to finding a potential link.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Illinois Republicans are angry that the congressional map is deliberately drawn to their serious disadvantage, with some districts almost comically gerrymandered.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • Thankfully, Brandon is one of Austen’s most introspective suitors, and Nordrum is not unlike the character in real life — thoughtful, gentle and a little self-effacing.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The patience required to piece them together paints Winehouse as an introspective woman as opposed to her party girl that the tabloids portrayed her as.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of introspective

Browse Nearby Words

philosophers
philosophical
philosophies
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Cite this Entry

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

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