preternaturally
2
9.9
- adverb
- /ˌpriːtərˈnætʃərəli/
- I've become preternaturally alert to scent and signals.
- preternaturally calm
- preternaturally quiet
- preternaturally sensitive
Examples
-
Kvothe seems preternaturally good at becoming whatever he needs to become in order to get his way.
Blog text (9) -
Her preternaturally sharp instincts allowed her to solve the mystery quickly.
-
But my servants are preternaturally careful.
Fiction book (1992) -
The country is almost preternaturally tidy.
Academic text (2008) -
What the hell, I thought as Daphne stepped forward again and looked up at me with those preternaturally green eyes.
Fiction book (1991) -
He is a preternaturally good mover of glass.
-
"It's bad all right," came Paradox's deep resonant voice, preternaturally clear even through the tiny speaker.
Fiction book (1997) -
But perhaps the AI, somehow sensing the events that had just unfolded, had made a preternaturally wise choice from its database.
Fiction book (1999) -
Edgemar remains preternaturally calm.
Fiction book (1990) -
Sparhawk's senses were preternaturally acute for some reason, although his mind seemed detached and emotionless.
Fiction book (1993)
Synonyms
131
3.9
To a much higher level than usual
33
3.5
In a strange or unexpected way
30
2.8
In a way that is very surprising and hard to believe
18
4.6
In a way that is not normal or usual
16
5.2
To a very great degree
15
6.9
In a way that is not usual for someone or something
14
7.7
In a very unusual and surprising way
11
4.7
In a way that seems strange or not natural
5
6.9
In a way that is strange, surprising, and hard to explain
3
6.7
In a way that makes people feel great surprise and admiration
2
7.7
In a very large and impressive way
2
6.2
In a strange way that people notice
1
8.2
Seems very strange and different from what people expect
1
8.2
In a way that is not normal or expected
1
6.1
In a way that is not usual
1
7.9
In a way that is not usual for someone
Antonyms
How Unusual
Surface Forms
Morphology
preternaturally = preternatural (semi-transparent) = preter + natural + ly
The adjective 'preternatural' is analyzable as 'preter-' (beyond) + 'natural', but the prefix 'preter-' is a non‑productive Latin combining form and may be unfamiliar to learners, so the relation is only partially obvious.
Etymology
Preternaturally comes from the Latin word praeter meaning 'beyond' and the root natural meaning 'nature' or 'normal'. So, a helpful way to remember it is 'beyond nature' — it describes something very unusual or more than normal.