preternatural

adjective

ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rəl How to pronounce preternatural (audio)
Definition of preternaturalnext
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

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 preternatural And for a movie that’s essentially Mouse House agitprop, her preternatural talent and honesty shine through. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Mullen’s preternatural understanding of young women who fall through society’s cracks and end up exploited by opportunistic men permeates both books. — Lisa Henricksson, Air Mail, 8 Aug. 2026 Just as bright, witty, and debauched as their namesake, this unique protagonist is on a path of self-discovery, gaining insight into not just their gender identity, but also their preternatural attraction to transgression and risk. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 Though his language is that of the every day his preternatural instinct for rhythm fills his lines with a bursting musicality. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preternatural
  1. extraordinary
  2. supernatural
  3. superhuman
  4. unusual
  5. paranormal
  6. uncanny
  7. exceptional
  8. transcendental
Adjective
  • Some of the rooms are off-limits, but visitors will get to see Duke's extraordinary collection of Islamic art.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Portland decision — based in part on data the Department of Justice later admitted was false — prompted an extraordinary filing by Judge Jay Bybee, who all but pleaded with the court to rehear the case and interpret the law differently.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Adjective
  • Consider a ghost tour of Merchant’s House, a residence turned museum where supernatural phenomena have been reported since the death of its last occupant, in 1933.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The film draws on 1980s supernatural comedies, including Back to the Future, Ghostbusters and The Addams Family, alongside classic monster movies and horror spoofs.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of supernatural
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
  • And now Great Question will, hopefully CBS News thinks, bring that voice to new places, in a digital expansion that is unusual for an evening news anchor.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the book walks the reader through Raichlen’s unusual path to becoming a food writer obsessed with the art of barbecuing.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Whether positive or negative, these stars aren’t alone in believing in paranormal activity.
    — Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There's immediate signs of paranormal capabilities that nobody, Carrie included, have a handle on.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of paranormal
Adjective
  • For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The man does seem to have an uncanny ability to pick projects that will have a long shelf life — everything from Up in Smoke and Harold and Maude to Singles, Steel Magnolias, Poison Ivy, and Contact.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncanny
Adjective
  • Singer demonstrates how timeless design and exceptional interior quality can coexist with everyday usability.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Van Cleef & Arpels recently welcomed private clients to an intimate high jewelry presentation at a River Oaks residence, with the opportunity to meet the maison’s artisans and view exceptional creations.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Adjective
  • Call it transcendental, the character’s deepening sense of luminosity, the way his empathy heightens as his consciousness expands.
    — David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Users seeking transcendental sources of insight do not know or care how the oracle came up with its responses.
    — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of transcendental

Browse Nearby Words

pretermitting
preternatural
pretest
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Cite this Entry

“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preternatural. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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