symbolic
adjective
sym·bol·ic
sim-ˈbä-lik 
variants
or less commonly symbolical
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a symbol
3
: characterized by or terminating in symbols
symbolic thinking
4
: characterized by symbolism
a symbolic dance
Synonyms
Examples of symbolic in a Sentence
The lighting of the candles is symbolic.
The sharing of the wine has symbolic meaning.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is a highly symbolic move from a country that has traditionally been one of the staunchest supporters of tearing down barriers in the digital world.
—
Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024
During the evening’s ceremony, the animals were laid out on pine boughs with the sprigs of leaves that had been placed in their mouths in the field, a symbolic offering of a last meal.
—John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 6 June 2024
Authoritarian regimes cannot tolerate symbolic images of resistance and, while the Tank Man — whose identity has never been confirmed — became an inspiration for pro-democracy movements across the world, he was snuffed out from official Chinese memory.
—Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024
Like lambs to a symbolic slaughter, some of the sassiest reality show contestants of all time have met their end after a series of eliminations on The GOAT, Amazon Freevee's new competition program that aims to find the greatest competitor of all time.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for symbolic 
Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024
During the evening’s ceremony, the animals were laid out on pine boughs with the sprigs of leaves that had been placed in their mouths in the field, a symbolic offering of a last meal.
—John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 6 June 2024
Authoritarian regimes cannot tolerate symbolic images of resistance and, while the Tank Man — whose identity has never been confirmed — became an inspiration for pro-democracy movements across the world, he was snuffed out from official Chinese memory.
—Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024
Like lambs to a symbolic slaughter, some of the sassiest reality show contestants of all time have met their end after a series of eliminations on The GOAT, Amazon Freevee's new competition program that aims to find the greatest competitor of all time.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for symbolic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symbolic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near symbolic
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symbolic
adjective
sym·bol·ic
sim-ˈbäl-ik
variants
also symbolical
1
: of, relating to, or using symbols or symbolism
a symbolic meaning
symbolic art
2
: having the function or meaning of a symbol
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