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

Charlotte Donlon Charlotte Donlon is a writer, spiritual director, creativity coach, and faculty member for Alma College MFA’s spiritual writing pathway. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 As God’s spiritual expression, we are never separated from our source. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

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 Born in Black communities in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jazz emerged from a blend of African rhythms, blues, spirituals, ragtime, improvisation, and collective storytelling. — Keith Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiritual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritual

Adjective

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
Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Jones forced his religious and political views onto Levy throughout their relationship, according to prosecutors.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
One of the newly unemployed is Olivia Siffre (Rachel Keller), a fledgling lawyer who recently moved to California to get away from her hovering, hyper-religious parents.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Noun

From the beginning, Dolly’s one request of [country singer] Porter [Wagoner] was that she be allowed to include a hymn or a Gospel song in each of their shows.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
In public at least, the BBC and new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration are singing from the same hymn sheet.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hymn

Adjective

The belief that heat can benefit the mind and relieve psychic suffering has a long history across human societies.

— Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
On the sixth season (1986-87) of the CBS primetime soap opera Falcon Crest, Gortner drew on his real-life experience to portray Vince Karlotti, a colorful polygamist and faux psychic medium over 17 episodes.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of psychic

Adjective

The wellness sanctuary and healing arts studio is rooted in ancient rituals and holistic treatments, like sacred sound therapy.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The governor also vetoed a bill authored by Assemblymember James Ramos (D-Highland) that would have established protections for tribes to hold religious ceremonies at sacred sites on state lands.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sacred

Noun

And while the anthem played , the two teams' players, coaches and others stood along the sidelines.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Created by a band formed in Mesa, the anthem delivers both Phoenix-area representation and a genuinely motivating workout message.

— qygwork, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of anthem

Adjective

Nyla Innuksuk’s supernatural thriller In the Heart of the South is the latest Canadian indie aiming to reclaim indigenous storytelling and representation in movie theaters.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Over a span of nearly 20 years and thousands of different writers, the writing has not been contained to a single, cohesive canon, but everything is at least centered around this organization investigating supernatural anomalies from everyday items.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of supernatural

Noun

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
But presiding over his daughter’s outdoor wedding helped, fulfilling another psalm’s promise.

— Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of psalm

Cite this Entry

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“Spiritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritual. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiritual

adjective

noun

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