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 Every major software and AI breakthrough depends on power generation, semiconductors, cooling systems, advanced materials, industrial construction, manufacturing and complex physical supply chains. — Cyrus Wadia, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Playing official, high-intensity games for the national team right now would put his physical health at risk. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026 His physical charms distract companions from the desperation of his internal plight. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026 So your physical awareness is — what’s the right superlative? — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for physical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical

Adjective

Beliefs in the afterlife similarly vary, although many Druids believe in the existence of souls that survive bodily death, often through reincarnation.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
The photos show remains left outside of refrigeration units with body parts exposed, unsanitary conditions, bodily fluids on the floor, even a deceased dog left on top of a cooler in front of a fan.

— Dave Savini, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of bodily

Adjective

There’s a symmetry despite all four stands having a different design, ranging from the concrete pillars of the Bramall Lane end to the much smoother lines seen along the John Street Stand.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Pakistan has expressed optimism that Washington and Tehran could reach an accord, but Torres said markets were still waiting for concrete progress.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of concrete

Adjective

The findings demonstrate correlations rather than direct causation, meaning the trends don't necessarily stem from physiological changes, early microbial exposures or social dynamics.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
The insulin feature was developed with training data from more than 100,000 individuals to correlate subtle physiological shifts.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of physiological

Adjective

But developers accustomed to CUDA may need to rewrite and optimize substantial portions of their existing code before moving their training workloads to Ascend.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
Business organizations, for example, typically devote substantial resources to risk management.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of substantial

Adjective

These remarks hinted at the corporeal quality of these sculptures, which have been collected by institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
In laying out his corporeal stepping stones, Faulkner leads us to our own discovery of Caddy’s and Quentin’s feelings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

Definition of corporeal

Adjective

These successful firms prioritize solving specific business problems with AI, measuring success in tangible metrics like productivity or customer satisfaction, rather than simply deploying the technology.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The show that wins could gain more confidence to pursue MAGA — which could have a tangible impact on the elections (and, yes, drive Trump even crazier).

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 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

Facial therapies feature Tata Harper and Noble Panacea, while visiting practitioners lead Tibetan sound healing,Watsu therapy, and aerial yoga alongside somatic meditation and energy work.

— Kate Donnelly, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Fadel leads workshops in Mindful Archery that combine meditation, somatic practices such as breathwork, immersive nature therapy and archery instruction.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of somatic

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“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of physical

adjective

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Phrases Containing physical

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More from Merriam-Webster on physical

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