effigy

noun

Definition of effigynext
as in portrait
a depiction of a person

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 effigy The family later performed symbolic final rites using an effigy. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 By Saturday, Kiffin effigies were everywhere in a Grove packed to overflowing. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 In 1986, a few dozen people gathered on a beach in San Francisco to light an eight-foot effigy and commune with nature — and one and other — under the great open skies. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026 The festival is best known for the burning of a large wooden effigy. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for effigy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effigy
  1. portrait
  2. portrayal
  3. image
  4. replica
  5. carbon
  6. likeness
Noun
  • Its Romanesque façade was disguised as a grand Southern plantation—four towering white columns were erected to support a temporary façade with floral garlands, potted trees, and an enormous portrait of Leigh and Gable hung above the entrance.
    — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Those ancestral tales spill out of the bedrooms and into the surrounding landscape, with guest excursions designed around the very figures whose portraits line the walls.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • Wise, meanwhile, was recognized for his portrayal of Ian Ward on The Young and the Restless.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Some of Lakshmana’s actions complicate an idealized portrayal of his devotion.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of portrayal
Noun
  • Unlike conventional sonar approaches that rely on lower-resolution acoustic images, synthetic aperture sonar combines multiple acoustic measurements collected as the sensor moves through the water.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The image was manipulated by artificial intelligence and posted by a Colombian artist, according to Brazilian fact-checking outlet Agência Lupa.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • Later, however, a faithful replica, also called the Atlantic, was built.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Oct. 2026
  • That team, fittingly enough, will be honored during the Hurricanes’ game on Saturday against Pittsburgh, with the current team wearing replica jerseys to recognize the group.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of replica
Noun
  • Tin and carbon guide lithium growth The researchers screened carbon-only, metal-only, and combined metal/carbon coatings.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In addition to the power boost, ABT has outfitted the RS5 with more carbon-fiber parts than before to keep weight down (thanks to its hybrid tech, the standard version is a bit of a heavyweight).
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of carbon
Noun
  • Top teams are spending tens of millions of dollars to put together football rosters alone in the name, image and likeness era.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • More than a century later, Ben Ali received an overdue ovation, his bronze likeness unveiled along the boulevard in May 2008 — the month of the Kentucky Derby.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of likeness

Browse Nearby Words

effigies
effigy
effloresce
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Effigy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effigy. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on effigy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about effigy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulsome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All