FIGURAL Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

figural

adjective

ˈfi-g(y)ə-rəl

Definition of figural

as in figurative

expressing one thing in terms normally used for another "a candidate running for office" is just a figural expression

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 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

Adjective

Jones, whose work culminated in the ’70s, was known for fusing commercial fetishism with fine art and was often criticized for his figurative objectification of women.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Comprising 280 figurative and nonfigurative rock engravings, the discovery at Cova de la Font Major has upended this assumption, suggesting not only a larger population than previously thought, but one with its own artistic traditions.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of figurative

Adjective

Securing ‘quick, symbolic victories’ in convoluted conflict Security experts like Diego Da Rin, Haiti analyst for International Crisis Group, have cast doubt on Bukele’s ability to replicate his model to vanquish Haiti’s gangs.

— Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
This new international body represented change but also continuity, enabling Britain to maintain a global (but mostly symbolic) presence at a time when its real geopolitical power was rapidly in retreat.

— Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

figs

figural

figurative

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of figural

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

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

Games & Quizzes