SYMBOLIC Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

symbolic

adjective

sim-ˈbä-lik

variants also symbolical

Definition of symbolic

as in representative

having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else the butterfly in the poem is symbolic of the impermanence of youth

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of symbolic The family later performed symbolic final rites using an effigy. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 The East Room itself had been dressed with symbolic red linens, dahlias, and ranunculus. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 Making people’s lives better does not mean having a symbolic vote on something that goes to the Senate and dies — that’s what the Republicans have done for two years. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 But on the ground in the West Bank, the mostly symbolic moves have not affected Israel’s decades-long military occupation. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for symbolic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic

Adjective

That development path has now progressed into testing at a government facility under representative altitude conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
The South Korean head of state concluded a successful official visit to Mexico this week with a stop that was pure K-pop, featuring one of his country’s most representative musical groups.

— Natalia Cano, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of representative

Adjective

The reflex to regard America’s earlier representational and nationalist traditions as something to be repudiated, rather than reconsidered, is learned — not inevitable.

— Frank Porcu, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026
Increasingly, representational politics feels like dusty land that’s been dried up from single-crop farming.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of representational

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symboled

symbolic

symboling

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“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of symbolic

adjective

Example Sentences

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