What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Supernatural vs Transcendental - What's the difference?

supernatural | transcendental |

As adjectives the difference between supernatural and transcendental

is that supernatural is above nature; that which is beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with. In Roman Catholic theology, sanctifying grace is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature while transcendental is concerned with the a priori or intuitive basis of knowledge, independent of experience.

As nouns the difference between supernatural and transcendental

is that supernatural is a supernatural being while transcendental is a transcendentalist.

supernatural

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Above nature; that which is beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with. In Roman Catholic theology, is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature.
  • Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully if at all.
  • The house is haunted by supernatural forces.
  • Neither visible nor measurable.
  • Synonyms

    * extraordinary, paranormal, preternatural, supranatural, unnatural

    Antonyms

    * ordinary * natural

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (countable) A supernatural being.
  • (uncountable) Supernatural beings and events collectively.
  • * 2012 , Blake Morrison, The Guardian , [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jul/20/blake-morrison-under-the-witches-spell?INTCMP=SRCH]:
  • Dr Johnson defended Shakespeare's use of the supernatural from the charge of implausibility on the grounds that, "The reality of witchcraft … has in all ages and countries been credited by the common people, and in most by the learned."

    transcendental

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A transcendentalist.
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (philosophy) Concerned with the a priori or intuitive basis of knowledge, independent of experience.
  • Superior, surpassing all others.
  • Extraordinary.
  • Mystical or supernatural.
  • (mathematics, number theory) Of, or relating to a number that is not the root of any polynomial that has positive degree and rational coefficients.
  • Antonyms

    * (mathematics) algebraic

    Hypernyms

    * (mathematics) irrational

    Derived terms

    * transcendental ego * transcendental function * transcendentalize * transcendental meditation * transcendental number * transcendentalism