Definition

Adjective: - Performing or able to perform wonders or miracles: Describing something or someone that has the power to create amazing, extraordinary, or seemingly supernatural effects.

Usage

This adjective is used attributively to describe a noun, typically a person, object, or power, that is believed to cause miraculous events. It is a formal and somewhat archaic term.

Examples

• The pilgrims traveled to see the wonderworking icon, believed to heal the sick.
• Legends spoke of a wonderworking saint who could control the weather.
• They attributed their survival to a wonderworking power beyond human understanding.

Advanced Usage

• "wonderworking power/ability": A common collocation emphasizing the capacity to perform miracles.
  • The talisman was said to possess wonderworking power.
• Used in historical or religious contexts to describe artifacts, saints, or deities.
  • The ancient text describes the wonderworking deeds of the prophet.

Variants and Related Words

• Wonder-worker (noun): A person who performs wonders or miracles.
  • The holy man was known as a great wonder-worker.
• Wonder-working (adjective): An alternative hyphenated spelling with the same meaning.
  • They sought the wonder-working spring.

Synonyms

• Miraculous: Having the character of a miracle; supernatural.
• Thaumaturgic: Relating to the working of wonders or miracles (highly formal).
• Marvelous: Causing great wonder; extraordinary (though less specifically supernatural).

Antonyms

• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
• Ineffectual: Not producing any or the desired effect.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To work wonders: To be very effective in solving a problem or improving a situation. (Note: This is a related phrase, not a direct use of the adjective 'wonderworking'.)
  • This new medicine works wonders for my back pain.

Adjective

1. performing or able to perform wonders or miracles