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
The Temple also had early medieval ancestors called figural or figured poems.
—
V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2023
Along with Claes Oldenburg and Ed Kienholz, Segal (1924-2000) was one of the principal figures to revitalize figural realism in the second half of the 20th century.
—John Wilmerding, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023
There's something majestic about abstract or figural stained glass, which lets light in and offers privacy as well as colorful expression.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 10 Jan. 2023
The back rest is decorated with a lion flanked by figural finials and the curved frame possesses oak leaves.
—Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2023
Along with Claes Oldenburg and Ed Kienholz, Segal (1924-2000) was one of the principal figures to revitalize figural realism in the second half of the 20th century.
—John Wilmerding, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023
There's something majestic about abstract or figural stained glass, which lets light in and offers privacy as well as colorful expression.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 10 Jan. 2023
The back rest is decorated with a lion flanked by figural finials and the curved frame possesses oak leaves.
—Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
Adjective
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These installations highlight how Kansas City evolved from primarily historical statuary to a mix of conceptual and figurative public art.—
Courtney Lane,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2025
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As for the current exhibition, Hood hopes people will gain a deeper awareness of figurative art and enjoy experiencing the artwork through the free exhibitions and community workshops.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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On a broader avenue, people stood on the sidewalks, cheering and mourning and taking pictures with their smartphones—thousands of real-time, utterly personal interpretations of the Pope’s final symbolic journey.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
27 Apr. 2025
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Yet given everything creators Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti have communicated about Joe over the show’s five seasons, castration doesn’t quite feel satisfying as a proportional symbolic response to Joe’s tenure of terror.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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