paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-məl How to pronounce paranormal (audio)
ˌpa-rə-;
ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-
ˈpa-rə-
Synonyms of paranormalnext
: not scientifically explainable : supernatural
paranormal noun
paranormality noun
paranormally
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-mə-lē How to pronounce paranormal (audio)
ˌpa-rə-;
ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-
ˈpa-rə-
adverb

Examples of paranormal in a Sentence

there are rumors that the old deserted mansion is the site of paranormal activity
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Volo Museum’s owners and staff are flummoxed by the latest incident in a place already known for paranormal occurrences and other strange happenings. Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 And though the local history museum is nothing but artifacts of atrocities (old newspaper report of cannibalism, a murderer’s mask), only Wyck (Stephen Root, great as always) sees anything paranormal in it, and he’s generally written off as a drunk. Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 New research suggests that feeling creeped out in a basement, old building, or other unsettling place may be due to very low-frequency sound — not paranormal activity. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Apr. 2026 The film centers on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts — and the lies underpinning their business. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranormal

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paranormal was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“Paranormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranormal. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

Medical Definition

paranormal

adjective
para·​nor·​mal ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯr-məl How to pronounce paranormal (audio)
: not understandable in terms of known scientific laws and phenomena
experiments in paranormal cognition of drawingsPsychological Abstracts
paranormally adverb
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