mind over matter
3 synonyms for mind over matter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Phrase — The idea that willpower and mental determination can overcome physical pain, illness or difficulty.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
willpower
mental toughness
How to use mind over matter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
it is mind over matter
a case of mind over matter
pure mind over matter
Everyday idiom, usually encouraging; used sceptically when applied to paranormal claims.
Frequently asked questions
Does mind over matter actually work?
For pain tolerance, endurance and motivation there is real evidence that expectation and focus change what the body will do, which is why placebo effects are measurable. It does not cure disease or move objects, and treating serious illness as a matter of willpower is harmful.
Where does the phrase mind over matter come from?
It is a plain English idiom expressing the old philosophical question of how mind relates to physical substance. It became popular in the nineteenth century and has no single, reliably documented coiner.
