as in magic
having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers
some have sensed a numinous energy in the landscape around Sedona, Arizona
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Recent Examples of numinous
Instead of dotting the same black scrim, like pinholes in a two-dimensional theater backdrop, the stars were scattered through space at dramatically varying distances, a vast swarm of them filling every last corner of an even vaster, more numinous, and emphatically three-dimensional darkness.
—
Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Though also suspended, Bo Bardi’s building generously offers a sheltering agora for all people on the street rather than a numinous temple for rarefied art audiences.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In this numinous world, visitors come by for death bed reckonings, and the CEO will have many scores to settle.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Starting with Neptune retrograde in Aries on July 4, this transit will likely create confusion in your love life as the numinous fog surrounds your romantic and creative endeavors.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Though also suspended, Bo Bardi’s building generously offers a sheltering agora for all people on the street rather than a numinous temple for rarefied art audiences.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In this numinous world, visitors come by for death bed reckonings, and the CEO will have many scores to settle.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Starting with Neptune retrograde in Aries on July 4, this transit will likely create confusion in your love life as the numinous fog surrounds your romantic and creative endeavors.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for numinous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numinous
Adjective
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For mentalists everywhere, that's the magic question.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
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And who doesn't love a magic dessert?—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yura’s nemeses, who are part of her elderly father’s underwater court, seem to be after her magical flute, an ancient device that controls their kingdom’s dragon.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
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When their fort reveals a magical ability to transport them to worlds across the globe, the girls embark on a whirlwind adventure that brings them closer again.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numinous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numinous. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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