as in metaphorical
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
the figurative use of "allergy" to mean "a feeling of dislike"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of figurative
Left field has been a figurative black hole for the Braves, with four players combining to produce a .213 average with just two home runs, a .281 slugging percentage that ranks 29th in the majors at the position and a .547 OPS that’s 28th.
—
David O'Brien, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
The weathered steel structure was designed as a figurative and physical frame for the community to sit and reflect on the lake.
—James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
That literal black eye will heal, but the figurative ones Tesla and Musk’s reputation have received from his political activities are likely to linger.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurative
David O'Brien, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
The weathered steel structure was designed as a figurative and physical frame for the community to sit and reflect on the lake.
—James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
That literal black eye will heal, but the figurative ones Tesla and Musk’s reputation have received from his political activities are likely to linger.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
Adjective
-
The company dates back to the late 1930s and is known for its sweet candles in figural shapes such as Santas, snowmen, and carolers.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
26 Nov. 2024
-
The company dates back to the late 1930s and is known for its sweet candles in figural shapes such as Santas, snowmen, and carolers.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The move was largely symbolic — such trade is relatively minimal — but demonstrated the worsening of their ties: Brussels is reportedly pressuring Beijing to raise its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions ahead of this month’s meeting.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 July 2025
-
In a post symbolic of fears that the company was now directly linked to his America Party, Musk was forced to correct the record that Tesla’s finance chief Vaibhav Taneja was not serving as Treasurer after a convincing fake had been uploaded to the Federal Election Commission’s website domain.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share