1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
an editor with a preternatural sense of what will interest the book-buying public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Comments Director and former actor Ron Howard may have landed his first series regular gig on The Andy Griffith Show at the ripe old age of 5, but even a preternatural talent may get rusty.
—
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
There, his preternatural musical ability sets off a chain of supernatural events.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
Anastasio spoke about the experience with an almost preternatural gratitude.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Kaufman had a preternatural ability to remain unperturbed by time passing, even when his audience became disgruntled, hostile or upset.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preternatural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preternatural
Adjective
-
Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things.—
-
The show will feature a wide range of extraordinary cars, trucks, and vehicles along with live music.—
Adjective
-
Ghosting, a supernatural thriller written by Brian DeCubellis and K.S. Bruce and to be directed by Brian DeCubellis, which is now casting; and The Confidence Men, based on the book by Margalit Fox, whose screenplay was adapted by Jez Scharf (Bodkin), and which is currently targeting a director.—
-
This supernatural short takes place in London in 1757 where a visionary writer locked in an insane asylum is targeted by the Devil to compose a specific poem that will allow him to lord over the Earth and its inhabitants.—
Adjective
-
Peter Dinklage plays the title role, a janitor who becomes a CEO-fighting vigilante after falling into toxic waste and transforming into a mutant with superhuman size and strength.—
-
Seriously, some of his recoveries seem superhuman, like film of prime Carl Lewis was spliced into the game tape.—
Adjective
-
But the boys also casually tell stories about the deprivations of their previous life, a reminder of how unusual their childhoods have been by American standards.—
-
While the timing off the surgery was a bit unusual, Tremble’s importance to the lineup — and the quick turnaround for rehabilitation — made the decision palatable to the organization.—
Adjective
-
Hudson is best known for playing paranormal exterminator Winston Zeddemore in 1984's Ghostbusters, its 1989 sequel, 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and 2024's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.—
-
Though no official explanations tie paranormal activity to any of the more than 200 deaths reported since 1994, the frequency and nature of fatal incidents have reinforced its haunted reputation.—
Adjective
-
As an escaped convict posing as a beloved preacher, and as his gentle, upright twin, Robeson embodies a devastating split between appearance and truth, and whose uncanny doubling plays out in a community shaped by racial violence, spiritual deception, and economic precarity.—
-
Many of these films, the recent Snow White most nefarious amongst them, are leaden with uncanny valley CGI, bizarre green screen devotion and a surprising lack of artistic intent.—
Adjective
-
The companies that invest in neurodiversity today are unlocking game-changing innovation, future-proofing their organizations and setting a new standard for what an exceptional workplace looks like.—
-
Some noted the exceptional speed of the winds around Bloomington and Normal that pushed the dust to the north.—
Adjective
-
Plus, the music is still transcendental across the board.—
-
From transcendental meditation to online shopping, these are the pop star's must-haves for touring.—
Cite this Entry
“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preternatural. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share