1
2
as in outline
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface
we could gradually see the figure of a ship coming our way through the fog
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment will be guests at the White House dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sculpture
a small statue
painted wooden figures by untrained artists can be quite valuable on today's antiques market
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
7
as in diagram
something that visually explains or decorates a text
the layout editor could have done a better job of getting the figures on the same page as the specific portion of text that they are intended to illustrate
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in price
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something
a number of the paintings at the auction sold at figures far higher than had been estimated
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the ice sculpture at the banquet was in the figure of an eagle spreading its wings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
11
as in calculation
figures plural
the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value
a person with a good head for figures
Synonyms & Similar Words
12
as in look
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
unshaven and dirty, he presents a sorry figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to decide
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
we figured that we had better arrive early at the concert in order to get good seats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
let's figure the juice in the pan to be about a cup and just add it to the mix
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to calculate
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the car dealer figured that our monthly car payment would be $357
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4
as in to think
to have as an opinion
the father figures that girls should have the same athletic opportunities as boys and supports his daughter's interest in soccer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of figure
David Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Take the central figure of the It films, Pennywise the Clown, who returns here and is portrayed again by Bill Skarsgard.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2026
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Researchers are still figuring this out, but there’s one interesting theory.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Noun
This network stretched from college campuses to New York and into the orbit of organized crime figures who were actively probing college athletics for vulnerabilities.
—David Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Take the central figure of the It films, Pennywise the Clown, who returns here and is portrayed again by Bill Skarsgard.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2026
Verb
But Roberts figures to have two other very worthy options.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Researchers are still figuring this out, but there’s one interesting theory.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figure
Noun
-
The feels-like temps will soar into the triple digits, likely peaking in the mid to upper 100s across much of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.—
Nic Merianos,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day of 2026 so far, with temperatures hitting triple digits in southeastern Colorado and the upper 90s in Denver, according to the National Weather Service.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The value of a writers’ room like this is that Grace wrote a great outline and then a great draft, but every single episode gets rewritten in the room multiple times.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
-
Learn one new asterism or constellation each session — such as the faint outline of constellations like Virgo, Ophiuchus, Hercules and Corona Borealis — and repeat the process during your next stargazing session.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Audiences are skeptical of celebrity.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Timpson is the first openly gay champion of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen competition and after winning season 23 a few years ago, made history as the only winner in the show’s history to be named executive chef at the property where their season was filmed.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
The flip side • Thank you to Sanford for the lovely bronze sculpture by their library depicting a whimsical scene of children on a bridge of books symbolizing the bridge to education and learning.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
-
The sculpture depicts the cowboy leaning against a tree, a lasso in hand, and a somber or tired expression on his face.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The fan selection between the two characters was the latest in a flurry of announcements made by the toymaker after Netflix named Mattel master toy licensee for KPop Demon Hunters dolls, action figures and other products in October 2025.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
In January of this year, Lee was honored by Barbie with an Inspiring Woman doll.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
An extra set of tongues allows the wearer a choice of gold or black, and both carry the blue stitching motif signature to Bonito’s sneakers.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
-
While Washington’s coalition of supporters inspired Obama’s approach to politics, Washington’s iconic sunrise beam motif — a common feature on political buttons — also influenced Obama’s iconic presidential campaign logo.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Treatment plans can be displayed on screens instead of explained through diagrams and estimates.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
The woodcut birth figures contained in these books were not images drawn from observation—pregnant cadavers for anatomical drawing were hard to come by—but were instead abstracted diagrams of the chaotic diversity of laboring bodies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
In Inglewood — especially for rentals walkable to SoFi Stadium — prices became dizzying.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
That’s why a number of industry analysts believe oil prices have moved too low, and the market is underpricing the risk of effectively running out of oil before the tanks can be replenished.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figure. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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