metaphorically

adverb

met·​a·​phor·​i·​cal·​ly ˌme-tə-ˈfȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈfär-

: in a metaphorical or figurative sense rather than a literal sense : by using a metaphor

At the center of every encryption system is a secret number or mathematical operation, metaphorically referred to as a key.

—Peter Wayner

At a typical event, he comes crashing onstage, delivers a macho statement of intent, metaphorically flexes his muscles, then roars away.

—Terry McCarthy

They settled in Somerville, Mass., next door to Cambridge but metaphorically across the tracks.

—Laura Shapiro

Examples of metaphorically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the dining room has been upholstered, metaphorically and, at times, literally, into submission. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

Teixeira loves to travel, literally and metaphorically. —John Hopewell, Variety, 11 June 2026

Celebrated across continents with major retrospectives and solo shows and based in Paris since 1973, Italian photographer Paolo Roversi is finally headed back home — metaphorically, with the unveiling of a permanent gallery in his hometown of Ravenna. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

MacKinnon’s seventh goal of the playoffs left Wild head coach John Hynes metaphorically shrugging his shoulders at the precision of a player who led the NHL with 53 goals in the regular season. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metaphorically

• allegorically
• rhetorically