miraculous 🔊
Meaning of miraculous
Highly extraordinary and seemingly impossible, often attributed to divine or supernatural intervention.
Key Difference
Unlike other words describing wonder, 'miraculous' specifically implies an event or outcome that defies natural laws.
Example of miraculous
- The miraculous recovery of the patient left the doctors in awe.
- The discovery of the ancient artifact was nothing short of miraculous.
Synonyms
supernatural 🔊
Meaning of supernatural
Pertaining to phenomena beyond scientific understanding, often linked to divine or mystical forces.
Key Difference
While 'miraculous' suggests a positive, wonderous event, 'supernatural' is neutral and can refer to any unexplained phenomenon.
Example of supernatural
- The villagers believed the strange lights in the sky were of supernatural origin.
- Legends often speak of supernatural beings lurking in the forest.
marvelous 🔊
Meaning of marvelous
Causing great wonder or astonishment.
Key Difference
'Marvelous' lacks the divine or supernatural connotation of 'miraculous' and is often used for impressive but natural events.
Example of marvelous
- The acrobat's performance was truly marvelous.
- The construction of the Great Wall was a marvelous feat of engineering.
astounding 🔊
Meaning of astounding
Shockingly impressive or surprising.
Key Difference
'Astounding' emphasizes surprise rather than divine intervention, unlike 'miraculous.'
Example of astounding
- The magician's trick was so astounding that the audience gasped.
- The sudden turnaround in the stock market was astounding.
phenomenal 🔊
Meaning of phenomenal
Remarkable or exceptional.
Key Difference
'Phenomenal' is more general and can describe any outstanding event, while 'miraculous' implies impossibility without divine help.
Example of phenomenal
- Her memory is nothing short of phenomenal.
- The athlete's speed was phenomenal, breaking world records.
divine 🔊
Meaning of divine
Relating to a god or gods; heavenly.
Key Difference
'Divine' directly references a deity, whereas 'miraculous' can sometimes be used secularly for highly improbable events.
Example of divine
- The ancient texts speak of divine intervention in human affairs.
- Many believe that inspiration comes from a divine source.
prodigious 🔊
Meaning of prodigious
Extraordinary in size, extent, or degree.
Key Difference
'Prodigious' often refers to scale or effort, while 'miraculous' implies an unexplainable event.
Example of prodigious
- His prodigious talent for music was evident from a young age.
- The storm caused prodigious damage to the coastal towns.
wondrous 🔊
Meaning of wondrous
Inspiring wonder or admiration.
Key Difference
'Wondrous' is more poetic and less tied to the idea of defying natural laws compared to 'miraculous.'
Example of wondrous
- The sunrise over the mountains was a wondrous sight.
- The invention of the internet was a wondrous leap for humanity.
unbelievable 🔊
Meaning of unbelievable
Difficult to accept as real or true.
Key Difference
'Unbelievable' focuses on skepticism, while 'miraculous' often carries a positive, awe-inspiring tone.
Example of unbelievable
- The team's comeback in the final minutes was unbelievable.
- The amount of money raised for charity was unbelievable.
extraordinary 🔊
Meaning of extraordinary
Beyond what is usual or ordinary.
Key Difference
'Extraordinary' is a broader term, while 'miraculous' suggests something seemingly impossible without divine aid.
Example of extraordinary
- Her dedication to the project was extraordinary.
- The scientist made an extraordinary discovery that changed the field.
Conclusion
- The word 'miraculous' is best used when describing events that seem impossible without supernatural or divine influence.
- 'Supernatural' can be used in contexts involving unexplained phenomena without necessarily implying positivity.
- If you want to emphasize awe without invoking the divine, 'marvelous' is a strong alternative.
- For sheer surprise and shock, 'astounding' fits better than 'miraculous.'
- When referring to something exceptionally impressive but not unexplainable, 'phenomenal' is the right choice.
- Use 'divine' when directly attributing an event to a god or higher power.
- 'Prodigious' should be used when emphasizing scale or effort rather than impossibility.
- For a poetic touch, 'wondrous' works well in describing beautiful or awe-inspiring moments.
- 'Unbelievable' is fitting when the focus is on skepticism or shock rather than divine intervention.
- For general excellence beyond the ordinary, 'extraordinary' is versatile and widely applicable.