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

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

One way that the country is choosing to signal its new start to the world is through the metaphorically bizarre but logistically impressive feat of transporting a 60-ton iceberg from the Antarctic to the 1992 Expo in Seville, Spain — crackly TV footage of which opens the film. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 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

Duarte doesn’t need to point a gun at the incumbent — metaphorically, accidentally or literally — to make a case for her candidacy. —Robin Epley, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metaphorically

• allegorically
• rhetorically