transcendent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'transcendent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is beyond what is ordinary or usual, such as a feeling, experience, or concept. For example: "The transcendent beauty of the night sky filled her with a sense of awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm aware this was a boringly predictable location in which to feel the spine-shiver of something beyond words (transcendent? divine?).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Haneke's picture is gruelling, moving and finally transcendent.

The Guardian - Film

And everyone is waiting in vain for the institutions that are supposed to have our best interests at heart to come up with some solution…") Some of the lyrics on his last two albums suggest a kind of transcendent Wordsworthian relationship with the natural world.

The Guardian - Music

His lofty current projects include work with the Louvre and pianist Mikhaïl Rudy, and that ambition trickles down into his dancefloor engagements, which still announce techno as the ultimate transcendent form.

The Guardian - Music

In Paris, jazz musicians celebrated heroin for the way in which it enabled them to hit the peaks of "transcendent relaxation" in their being and their music – this was the aesthetics of "cool".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At other times they laugh at the very notion of a transcendent god.

The Economist

In "2001", the monoliths were doors of transcendent perception; in "3001" they become banal and easily dealt-with alien threats.

The Economist

By incorporating stereoscopy into the way his film looks and works, he has created something that manages to be both gimmicky and transcendent.

The Economist

But even more than Thomas Bernhard or W.G. Sebald, he winds and unwinds and rewinds, creating what one translator has described as "a slow lava-flow of narrative, a vast black river of type", which along the way acquires a transcendent quality of its own.

The Economist

The invited guest author is a multiple medal-winning former pair skater.FOR many viewers the most lasting image provided so far by the Winter Olympics in Sochi will not be one of transcendent athletic achievement.

The Economist

And he poses once again the unanswerable question that Marcel Proust raised: by what alchemy does Vermeer transmute the realistic depiction of that everyday life into something transcendent and timeless?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transcendent" to describe experiences, art, or ideas that go beyond the ordinary and evoke a sense of profoundness or awe. It's effective in conveying a sense of spiritual or intellectual elevation.

Common error

Avoid using "transcendent" to describe everyday occurrences or items. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound pretentious. Reserve it for truly exceptional and profound subjects.

Linguistic Context

The word "transcendent" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that surpasses ordinary limits or understanding. It suggests a quality of being beyond the material world or normal human experience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transcendent" functions as an adjective to describe something that surpasses ordinary limits, conveying a sense of profoundness or awe. As Ludwig AI validates, this word is grammatically correct and most appropriately used in formal and scientific contexts. While frequent in news and media, its usage should be reserved for truly exceptional subjects to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "surpassing" and "sublime". Avoid overusing "transcendent" in mundane situations to prevent diluting its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing

This alternative focuses on exceeding a specific limit or expectation.

exceeding

Emphasizes going beyond a set boundary or standard.

exceptional

Highlights being notably better than the average.

extraordinary

Stresses being beyond what is usual or commonplace.

sublime

Indicates a quality of greatness or beauty that inspires awe.

supreme

Focuses on the highest level of quality or authority.

peerless

Emphasizes being unmatched or without equal.

unparalleled

Highlights the absence of anything similar or comparable.

matchless

Indicates a quality of being without an equivalent.

ultimate

Focuses on representing the best possible example of something.

FAQs

How can I use "transcendent" in a sentence?

Use "transcendent" to describe something that surpasses ordinary limits or understanding, such as "The music created a "transcendent" experience for the audience".

What are some synonyms for "transcendent"?

Alternatives to "transcendent" include "surpassing", "exceptional", or "sublime", each carrying a slightly different nuance of exceeding normal limits.

Is it appropriate to use "transcendent" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "transcendent" is often more suited for formal or artistic contexts. In casual conversation, simpler words like "amazing" or "incredible" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "transcendent" and "immanent"?

"Transcendent" refers to something that exists beyond the material world or normal limits, while "immanent" refers to something that is present within and part of the material world. They are near antonyms.