SPIRITUAL Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

spiritual 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspir-i-chə-wəl

Definition of spiritual

as in metaphysical

not composed of matter a staunch skeptic and realist, he scoffs at the very notion of ghosts and other spiritual entities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in religious

of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion spiritual songs that have been sung by generations of worshippers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spiritual

2 of 2

noun

as in hymn

a religious song sang a spiritual at the funeral

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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 spiritual

Adjective

This Comforter has come, expressed as Christian Science, which explains that Christ is here today as the true idea of God – bringing the spiritual understanding of humanity’s unbreakable, eternal relationship with our Father-Mother God, divine Love. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 And Paulino’s research into plantas de poder (plants of power), used for spiritual protection in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, has only deepened, the relationship between her plants and the cycles of day and night becoming more expansive. — Tatiane De Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

Over his career, Sykes performed in venues around the world and across genres — opera, gospel, spirituals, show tunes, folk and pop — working with figures including Renée Fleming, Terence Blanchard, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and Brian Wilson. — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 The historic church was recently destroyed by fire, but just like these spirituals, melodies of strength are unwavering and inspiring. — Ukee Washington, CBS News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiritual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritual

Adjective

The latter perhaps most acutely reflected such dominant motifs in Gibson’s midcareer work as female figures, birds, and metaphysical reflectors.

— The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

As same-day voters go to the polls for the midterm elections next week, the Supreme Court will hear a major religious liberty case over a Colorado universal preschool program with implications beyond the Centennial State.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Reactions could be split along religious lines—and some belief systems may be better equipped to deal with aliens than others, experts say.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Noun

At the conclusion of an English-language service interspersed with hymns in Arabic, the priest introduced Salazar, who stood up in the front row, smiling and waving.

— Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
At a campaign event held at a college chapel in Lindsborg, Hamilton led the crowd in a hymn and did not mention his opponent by name.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hymn

Adjective

Woolf treats this psychic drama seriously and with great generosity and tenderness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
These onetime kid actors have spoken movingly about facing isolation, external pressure, intense public scrutiny, and the psychic pain of constant rejection on the audition circuit.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of psychic

Adjective

Gloria Molina Grand Park transforms into an illuminated, sacred civic sanctuary for the 2026 presentation of Downtown Día de los Muertos.

— Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Peter Else, a local environmentalist, has spent years fighting SunZia in court over its intrusion into the scenic San Pedro Valley, a region that is sacred to Indigenous communities such as the Tohono O’odham Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sacred

Noun

Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said leaving the floor for the anthem has been part of the franchise’s pregame routine since the team first entered the WNBA.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Trump went on to say that fans should stop viewing WNBA games because the players don't stay for the anthem.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of anthem

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

Noun

During a recent morning visit, large groups of Jewish worshippers circumambulated the holy site under close police guard, singing psalms at full volume and openly praying.

— Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Psalm 23 is numbered Psalm 22 in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate because of differences in how the psalms are divided and numbered.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of psalm

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spiritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritual. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiritual

adjective

noun

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