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
As we are never returned to any figural baseline, our eyes are increasingly ungrounded.
—
Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025
Arrange the Charlie Brown and Snoopy figural mugs on a coffee or drink station, paired with extra-dark hot chocolate, caramel apple cider, or spiced coffee.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for figural
Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025
Arrange the Charlie Brown and Snoopy figural mugs on a coffee or drink station, paired with extra-dark hot chocolate, caramel apple cider, or spiced coffee.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
Adjective
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The smaller, figurative collages are somewhat easier to grasp at first glance.—
Benjamin Lima
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Valentine’s Day, a holiday that fills hearts with figurative longing and passion — and literal foodstuffs, like chocolate.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Onanism, albeit of the metaphorical kind, is the very charge Wallace levies against Updike in that review from 1997.—
Hermione Hoby,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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That statement was understood at the time as a metaphorical expression of the depth of Republican voters’ commitment to him.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In this case, that ball happens to be the complex that serves as the symbolic seat of the nation’s vibrant, messy, questioning, deeply political and hugely alive arts and culture scene.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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While the raw metal value of Olympic medals is small compared with the millions of dollars athletes invest in training, their collective and symbolic value often far exceeds their material worth.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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