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 action is likely to have little more than symbolic impact for the singer, who lives in Ukraine.
—
Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
The underground setting of the presentation seemed symbolic.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
The Biden bear hug isn’t just symbolic, officials say, and the decision to unwaveringly back Israel is coming from the top.
—Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
For much of the summer his presence here would be mostly symbolic, and that’s not how anyone in the organization wants to remember their forever warrior.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
House Republicans this week moved to cut the salary of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to $1 in a largely symbolic move unlikely to be passed.
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023
In a largely symbolic move, stockholders holding 20,442,308 shares voted against the pay package, while those holding 19,565,042 voted for it.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Nov. 2023
Last year, most participants of Seoul Learn entered good universities and so this is a symbolic example of our going together with the socially neglected.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Nov. 2023
So the dispute has become symbolic and may be resolved by how much or how little each side can live with.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2023
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Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
The underground setting of the presentation seemed symbolic.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Nov. 2023
The Biden bear hug isn’t just symbolic, officials say, and the decision to unwaveringly back Israel is coming from the top.
—Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
For much of the summer his presence here would be mostly symbolic, and that’s not how anyone in the organization wants to remember their forever warrior.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
House Republicans this week moved to cut the salary of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to $1 in a largely symbolic move unlikely to be passed.
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023
In a largely symbolic move, stockholders holding 20,442,308 shares voted against the pay package, while those holding 19,565,042 voted for it.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Nov. 2023
Last year, most participants of Seoul Learn entered good universities and so this is a symbolic example of our going together with the socially neglected.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Nov. 2023
So the dispute has become symbolic and may be resolved by how much or how little each side can live with.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing symbolic
Dictionary Entries Near symbolic
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on symbolic
Nglish: Translation of symbolic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of symbolic for Arabic Speakers
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