numinous

[ noo-muh-nuhs, nyoo- ]

See synonyms for numinous on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or like a numen; spiritual or supernatural.
surpassing comprehension or understanding; mysterious: that element in artistic expression that remains numinous.

arousing one's elevated feelings of duty, honor, loyalty, etc.: a benevolent and numinous paternity.

Origin of numinous

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin nūmin- (stem of nūmen ) numen + -ous

Words Nearby numinous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use numinous in a sentence

My friend Brenda describes it as “numinous,” and that alone is reason to keep it even if it doesn’t fit this body.
Who Bought All These Ridiculous Clothes and Why Are They In My Closet? | Susanna Schrobsdorff | June 27, 2021 | Time
They have had a spiritual or numinous or paranormal experience at some point in their own lives.
Eben Alexander Has a GPS for Heaven | Patricia Pearson | October 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
JML: Well, they reveal that he lived in a numinous world where there were forces all around him.
Murder, Sex, and the Writing Life: Norman Mailer’s Biography | Ronald K. Fried | November 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for numinous

numinous

/ (ˈnjuːmɪnəs) /

adjective

denoting, being, or relating to a numen; divine
arousing spiritual or religious emotions

mysterious or awe-inspiring

Origin of numinous

C17: from Latin numin-, numen + -ous

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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