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 The decree renames one of the four Great Lakes, while providing a legal and philosophical justification for the act. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 Clarke’s legacy, of a philosophical cinema that turns form into inquiry, critique, and protest, is also a cinema of paradox. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 Depending on state policy, parents may be able to opt out of certain or all vaccines by claiming an exemption for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026 Residents soldiering on through the ordeal were quoted in various reports expressing frustration and exhaustion while some tried to be philosophical. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for philosophical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philosophical
  1. analytic
  2. logical
  3. rational
  4. serious
  5. introspective
Adjective
  • To create objects with collapsibility as a core feature, Toyonaga’s team devised an analytic design algorithm allowing incremental construction of complex scissored surfaces.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rigaku brings its experience developing X-ray analytical systems and metrology technologies.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of analytic
Adjective
  • Kitchenware, pantry staples and cookbook publishers are the logical next category.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The handle of the pattern is relatively shallow, so from a trading perspective, placing a stop-loss slightly below its lower boundary near 512 provides a logical way to manage risk.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • Every one of those was a rational response to the incentive they were handed.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sprague said the level of planning Clancy did on the night of the killings implicated her as being in a state of rational thought.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Wearing something slightly more playful also helped keep the whole day from feeling too serious or dramatic.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But then Sandy stops by for a friendly chat, and his daughter Nina (Zosia Mamet, ice-cold and slightly underused) gets serious.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • The music was imbued with grace and dignity in both its most introspective and uplifting moments.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • For Sézalory, Sézane has always been introspective, informed by her personal taste and dress sense.
    — Alice Cary, Vogue, 23 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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