symbolize

verb

sym·​bol·​ize ˈsim-bə-ˌlīz 

symbolized; symbolizing

transitive verb

1

: to serve as a symbol of

2

: to represent, express, or identify by a symbol

intransitive verb

: to use symbols or symbolism

symbolizer noun

Synonyms of symbolize

• represent

Examples of symbolize in a Sentence

She came to symbolize the women's movement in America.

the flag symbolizes our country

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, they’re made to symbolize everything valiant and determined about the Scottish investigators and everything well-meaning but misguided about their American colleagues, respectively. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

According to the Navy, USS Georgia’s final return to Kings Bay symbolizes the beginning of the end for one of the Navy’s most versatile submarine classes. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

The American dream of new car ownership, once a rite of passage symbolizing freedom, is now largely unaffordable for many. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

In medieval literature the dragon’s refusal to share its wealth symbolizes chaos, greed, and the social harm caused when valuable resources are removed from circulation. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for symbolize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

symbolize

verb

sym·​bol·​ize ˈsim-bə-ˌlīz 

symbolized; symbolizing

: to serve as a symbol of

symbolization

ˌsim-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

symbolize

transitive verb

sym·​bol·​ize

variants also British symbolise

ˈsim-bə-ˌlīz 

symbolized also British symbolised; symbolizing also British symbolising

1

: to serve as a symbol of

2

: to represent, express, or identify by a symbol