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

Fisher and Day can’t even secure jobs, stuck literally and metaphorically frittering away their youth in the back seat. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Instead of literally backing away, in this example, the person metaphorically backs away by completing the session and exiting as expected without further conflict. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

The watch business Stateside is heating up this month, metaphorically speaking, thanks to a number of events geared to collectors. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026

Lorde was feeling herself, physically and metaphorically, and the voyeuristic vibes of her set freed both performer and audience alike on Day One of Lollapalooza 2026. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metaphorically

• allegorically
• rhetorically