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
The change in statute not only has tangible benefits for LGBTQ+ Kansans but also has significant symbolic value as Kansas lawmakers continue to advance anti-transgender legislation, Riffel said.
—
Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Its cumulative passed the symbolic $80 million mark.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
The mikvah — a traditional Jewish bath used in rites of renewal and purification for thousands of years — would elevate this small synagogue in Waterville, a city of 16,000, to a destination for people from across Maine seeking a symbolic fresh start.
—Jenna Russell Tristan Spinski, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
At the time, the move was viewed as symbolic, unlikely to become reality any time soon.
—Célia Belin, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024
After years of anti-Muslim pogroms, these issues came to a symbolic head in January, with Modi’s public inauguration of the Ram Mandir, a controversial Hindu temple built atop the ruins of the Babri Masjid, the mosque demolished by Hindu extremists in 1992.
—Siddhant Adlakha, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
From Progress and Backlash: A Historical Lens From Reconstruction to Jim Crow, from Obama to Trump, the cycle of symbolic progress followed by tangible backlash is historically predictable.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024
The first, from a symbolic perspective, is your life right now.
—Amy Raasch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
In 2002, voters also overwhelmingly supported an apparent symbolic citizen initiative to keep the United Nations out of eastern Oregon.
National Association of Forest Service Retirees President Steve Ellis spent much of his career as a supervisor with the agency in the region.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Its cumulative passed the symbolic $80 million mark.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
The mikvah — a traditional Jewish bath used in rites of renewal and purification for thousands of years — would elevate this small synagogue in Waterville, a city of 16,000, to a destination for people from across Maine seeking a symbolic fresh start.
—Jenna Russell Tristan Spinski, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
At the time, the move was viewed as symbolic, unlikely to become reality any time soon.
—Célia Belin, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024
After years of anti-Muslim pogroms, these issues came to a symbolic head in January, with Modi’s public inauguration of the Ram Mandir, a controversial Hindu temple built atop the ruins of the Babri Masjid, the mosque demolished by Hindu extremists in 1992.
—Siddhant Adlakha, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
From Progress and Backlash: A Historical Lens From Reconstruction to Jim Crow, from Obama to Trump, the cycle of symbolic progress followed by tangible backlash is historically predictable.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024
The first, from a symbolic perspective, is your life right now.
—Amy Raasch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
In 2002, voters also overwhelmingly supported an apparent symbolic citizen initiative to keep the United Nations out of eastern Oregon.
National Association of Forest Service Retirees President Steve Ellis spent much of his career as a supervisor with the agency in the region.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
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 19 Apr. 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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