preternatural

[ pree-ter-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl, pre- ]

adjective

1. out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal:

   preternatural powers.

   Synonyms: unnatural, extraordinary, unusual

   Antonyms: usual, ordinary

2. outside of nature; supernatural.

preternatural

/ ˌpriːtəˈnætʃrəl /

adjective

1. beyond what is ordinarily found in nature; abnormal
2. another word for supernatural

Derived Forms

• ˌpreterˈnaturalness, noun
• ˌpreterˈnaturalism, noun
• ˌpreterˈnaturally, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ism pre·ter·nat·u·ral·i·ty [pree-ter-nach-, uh, -, ral, -i-tee, pre-], pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ness noun
• pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ly adverb
• un·pre·ter·nat·u·ral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preternatural¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, adjective based on Latin phrase praeter nātūram “beyond nature”; preter-, natural

Word History and Origins

Origin of preternatural¹

C16: from Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, from Latin praeter natūram beyond the scope of nature

Synonym Study

See miraculous.

Example Sentences

Trump possesses an uncanny, almost preternatural ability to reach into the very bowels of his most fervent followers, pulling from their darkest recesses the raw, untamed emotions that lie buried beneath the surface.

From Salon

The setting, a spaceship-museum gallery, might explain the presence of preternatural beings, including a giant rat.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet, Donald Trump through skill, a preternatural instinct for survival, devious intelligence, and lots of luck and help continues to endure if not prosper.

From Salon

But that is the power of Buteau’s ebullient charisma, which telegraphs to audiences that her preternatural comic rhythm and dolled-up, side-eye style of delivery are in service of being a warmhearted bestie.

From New York Times

But Johnson believes that people like the Con Queen “have a preternatural ability to home in on any individual’s particular weakness” and that makes any one susceptible.

From Seattle Times