phenomenon

[fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn] / fɪˈnɒm əˌnɒn, -nən /

NOUN

rare occurrence; wonder

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anomaly aspect circumstance episode event experience fact incident miracle paradox reality sensation

STRONG

abnormality actuality appearance curiosity exception happening marvel nonpareil peculiarity portent prodigy sight spectacle stunner uniqueness

WEAK

one for the books rara avis something else

Antonyms

STRONGEST

usualness

STRONG

normality

WEAK

regularity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The vow was the most recent example of a phenomenon taking over on Wall Street: how some of the world’s very richest are bringing their smallest problems to the masses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Different species sometimes arrive at the same biological solution on their own, a phenomenon known as parallel evolution.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

“We didn’t know it would be the phenomenon it became.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

That phenomenon stretched to 11 days as of last Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

For a few moments, she just played with this phenomenon: up—light on.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Vocabulary lists containing phenomenon

TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

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Eclipse Vocabulary

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Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal

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