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
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
As we are never returned to any figural baseline, our eyes are increasingly ungrounded.
—Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025
Austria, Germany, and Japan became famous for exporting figural bulbs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for figural
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
As we are never returned to any figural baseline, our eyes are increasingly ungrounded.
—Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 1 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
Adjective
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Another superb show featured Matthew Wong, a painter of intimate, hauntingly lovely figurative works inspired by van Gogh and Matisse.—
Sebastian Smee,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
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Monguidi’s second task was to cut the figurative ribbon on Rimowa’s newest flagship store in Cologne, the city where its beloved aluminum suitcases are made.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Perhaps that could work if the film were operating in a more obviously metaphorical or surreal register.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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Yes—putting metaphorical pen to page is fundamental, but so, too, is nurturing that which expands my literary capacity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The summit did not happen, with Aoun saying a security deal needed to be in place and Israeli attacks needed to end before such a landmark symbolic meeting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Advocates and some council members have expressed concerns that the new rules may be symbolic and unenforceable.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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