as in figurative
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
"a candidate running for office" is just a figural expression
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Recent Examples of figural
Abstract painters, figural painters, composers, language poets . . .
—
Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
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
But for his own figural edification, Degas made lots of small sculptures, mostly of dancers, horses and bathers, subjects that also populated his paintings.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
Higgins and her colleagues, though, are concentrating on figural graffiti, which range from humans and animals (often representing a god) to game boards likely carved by Isis’ priests for diversion during their off hours.
—Amy Crawford, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
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
But for his own figural edification, Degas made lots of small sculptures, mostly of dancers, horses and bathers, subjects that also populated his paintings.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
Higgins and her colleagues, though, are concentrating on figural graffiti, which range from humans and animals (often representing a god) to game boards likely carved by Isis’ priests for diversion during their off hours.
—Amy Crawford, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
Adjective
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Hush was met with generally favorable reviews at the time of its release, and employs similar stakes (both literal and figurative) as seen in Scream.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
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Taking inspiration from 16th-century outdoor sculpture courtyards, this (indoor) exhibition explores the range of figurative human sculptures in the Walker’s collection.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The process of securing the proper locations for a project is a metaphorical game of 3D chess in which the artistic vision of its creative team wages a strategic battle with logistical necessities and economic realities.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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In addition to his trio of Primetime Emmys, Obama's already substantial metaphorical trophy shelf includes two Children's and Family Emmy gongs, two Grammy awards, and a Nobel Peace Prize.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Then, as with West Germany’s previous World Cup triumph, there was a symbolic defeat.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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The milestone marks a symbolic win for the blue-chip index, highlighting the market’s resilience despite tariff concerns and signs of weakness in the economy.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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