figural

adjective

ˈfi-g(y)ə-rəl How to pronounce figural (audio)
Definition of figuralnext
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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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 figural Display of a walking staff with a figural head and wooden ladles reveal a history of carving among the cultures Lewis was raised in. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026 However, giving in to January’s grayness — both literal and figural — is not the only option. — Morayo Ogunbayo, AJC.com, 1 Jan. 2026 The figural birds are crafted in platinum and 18-karat gold with gemstones — appearing to perch upon the wearer. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2025 Austria, Germany, and Japan became famous for exporting figural bulbs. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2021 See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
  1. figurative
  2. metaphoric
  3. symbolic
Adjective
  • Despite its bond with performance, cringe finds its medial match in such figurative painting.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Viewers can ponder Dunham’s dramatic stylistic shift from abstract forms to cartoonish figurative images through the exhibition’s 50 career-spanning works.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of figurative
Adjective
  • The production design is excellent, the humorous details of Vision’s metaphorical manse and the externalization of computer processes clever.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • For Wolf, frolicking in mud is both literal and metaphorical.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of metaphoric
Adjective
  • This approach also failed to deter Ukraine’s land incursions into Russia and strikes on symbolic Russian targets and Russian strategic infrastructure, let alone compel Kyiv to surrender.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

figs
figural
figurative
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Cite this Entry

“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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