PHYSICAL Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'physical' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of physical are corporeal , material , objective , phenomenal , and sensible . While all these words mean "of or belonging to actuality," physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual , or imaginary . // the physical benefits of exercise

Q: When is it sensible to use 'corporeal' instead of 'physical'?

Although the words corporeal and physical 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 is 'material' a more appropriate choice than 'physical'?

The words material and physical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would 'objective' be a good substitute for 'physical'?

In some situations, the words objective and physical are roughly equivalent. However, objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it. // no objective evidence of damage

Q: Where would 'phenomenal' be a reasonable alternative to 'physical'?

The meanings of phenomenal and physical largely overlap; however, 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 could 'sensible' be used to replace 'physical'?

The words sensible and physical can be used in similar contexts, but sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses. // the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

physical

adjective

ˈfi-zi-kəl

Definition of physical

as in bodily

of or relating to the human body physical sensations such as heat and pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concrete

relating to or composed of matter couldn't tell the difference between a physical object and a shadow in the dim light

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective physical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of physical are corporeal, material, objective, phenomenal, and sensible. While all these words mean "of or belonging to actuality," physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

When is it sensible to use corporeal instead of physical?

Although the words corporeal and physical 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 is material a more appropriate choice than physical?

The words material and physical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would objective be a good substitute for physical?

In some situations, the words objective and physical are roughly equivalent. However, objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

Where would phenomenal be a reasonable alternative to physical?

The meanings of phenomenal and physical largely overlap; however, 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 could sensible be used to replace physical?

The words sensible and physical can be used in similar contexts, but 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 physical Through voiceover, the artists reflect on how curiosity, personal technique, and physical expression are shaped by movement, and how movement feeds back into the studio. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 Less physical testing to develop and refine new cells would give GM more agility to respond to real-world test data. — John Voelcker, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026 York starred in the first five seasons of Bewitched before sustaining injuries on set due to the show’s emphasis on physical comedy. — Justine Fisher, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026 Strong, positive friendships are associated with lower risks of depression, anxiety, physical health symptoms and academic difficulties, Schacter says. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for physical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical

Adjective

Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18, of Queens, was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
The parents admit to some corporal punishment, but of a mild sort—the kind that might startle a child but which wouldn’t do bodily harm.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of bodily

Adjective

How blades become cement ingredients and concrete reinforcement One useful material recovered from turbine blades is silica.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
In 1957, Wright decided to use a state-of-the-art compound to seal the concrete facade, made of a material called gunite.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of concrete

Adjective

Her team’s meta-analysis found that activities that increase physiological arousal generally did not reduce anger, while relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, and slow breathing consistently helped.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
The acute physiological response to heat is now well understood.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of physiological

Adjective

For a complicated model with multiple color changes, the waste can become substantial.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Its existing capabilities provide a starting point for the conversion, although the transport configuration cannot perform the new mission without substantial modifications.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of substantial

Adjective

The tension between intellectual certainty and its corporeal obverse is the novel’s most interesting possibility, yet its campus plot repeatedly narrows into a question of who deserves our sympathy.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Editor Cam McLauchlin never cuts them into mere blitzes of limbs and blood, though DP Katelin Arizmendi’s acidic palette of yellows, greens and corporeal streaks of red does lend the realism a kind of pop-art splendor.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of corporeal

Adjective

In this context, elections and exams are the only two processes that make the state’s promise of equal treatment tangible.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Consistency in service, collaboration and responsiveness is a tangible way trust is built.

— Kate Barton, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of tangible

Adjective

Vegetable Oils Vegetable and seed oils are some of the richest non-animal dietary sources of CoQ10.

— Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026
Computer models and other non-animal testing methods still aren’t the best available science, critics contend.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Definition of animal

Adjective

Wearables Are Driving Sleep Health News in 2026 The somatic movement is running parallel to a surge in sleep tracking.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
The study did not test broader lifestyle interventions such as somatic exercises, and researchers stress that more work is needed to determine whether improving sleep can actually reduce hemorrhoid risk or severity.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of somatic

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physicality

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

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Synonyms of physical

adjective

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