Definition of TRANSCENDENT (original) (raw)
1
b
: extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience
c
in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge
2
: being beyond comprehension
4
: universally applicable or significant
the antislavery movement … recognized the transcendent importance of liberty—
L. H. Tribe
Did you know?
The Latin verb scandere means "to climb", so transcend has the basic meaning of climbing so high that you cross some boundary. A transcendent experience is one that takes you out of yourself and convinces you of a larger life or existence; in this sense, it means something close to "spiritual". The American writers and thinkers known as the Transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, believed in the unity of all creation, the basic goodness of humankind, and the superiority of spiritual vision over mere logic. When we speak of the transcendent importance of an issue such as climate change, we may mean that everything else on earth actually depends on it.
Synonyms
Examples of transcendent in a Sentence
a firm belief in angels, demons, and other transcendent beings the star player's transcendent performance helped the team to a surprise victory
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two embark on a dangerous and transcendent journey down the Mississippi River. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024 The only unanimous inductee in the history of Hall of Fame voting isn’t a charismatic and transcendent star center fielder like Ken Griffey Jr. or a durable, generation-spanning rotation presence like Nolan Ryan. —Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024 Yet those gains 20 years ago were driven by two primary factors: the presence of Bush, who grew increasingly unpopular amid the Iraq war, and the rise of a transcendent political talent. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025 And the blend of big acting, ambitious sets, and poignant plots helped this show become something truly transcendent. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for transcendent 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin transcendent-, transcendens, present participle of transcendere
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of transcendent was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near transcendent
Cite this Entry
“Transcendent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendent. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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