as in metaphoric
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
the figurative use of "allergy" to mean "a feeling of dislike"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of figurative
Only two mourners were present at the funeral of renowned British figurative painter David Hockney, who died June 11 at the age of eighty-eight The Guardian reports.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
22 June 2026
Food can cross borders both literal and figurative, even when people cannot.
—
Ashley Rose Young,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
The walls that aren’t subject to preservation are sheathed in vast Claro walnut panels of a sinuous, almost figurative grain.
—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
David Hockney’s first solo show, which opened in London in 1963, was Pictures With People In, a defiantly figurative title for the poster boy of a new and challenging school of painting, Pop Art.
—
Robin Muir,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
News Desk,
Artforum,
22 June 2026
Food can cross borders both literal and figurative, even when people cannot.
—
Ashley Rose Young,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
The walls that aren’t subject to preservation are sheathed in vast Claro walnut panels of a sinuous, almost figurative grain.
—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
David Hockney’s first solo show, which opened in London in 1963, was Pictures With People In, a defiantly figurative title for the poster boy of a new and challenging school of painting, Pop Art.
—
Robin Muir,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
Adjective
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The scene is a Pyrrhic victory, however, because its self-transcending metaphorical power only emphasizes the blandly literal hour and a half that came before.
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In other words, the metaphorical coin must be weighted—in this case, by hominins doing things on purpose, like laying their dead to rest in the narrow, twisting darkness of Rising Star.
Adjective
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The holders come in a set of two, adorned with figural bunnies.
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The figural birds are crafted in platinum and 18-karat gold with gemstones — appearing to perch upon the wearer.
Adjective
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Thune did not speak during the meeting but scheduled a symbolic follow-up vote that evening in which two Republicans flipped their original votes.
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This ‘Statehood Quarters’ collection is so inclusive and symbolic of this great nation.
Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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