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
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
But for his own figural edification, Degas made lots of small sculptures, mostly of dancers, horses and bathers, subjects that also populated his paintings.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
Higgins and her colleagues, though, are concentrating on figural graffiti, which range from humans and animals (often representing a god) to game boards likely carved by Isis’ priests for diversion during their off hours.
—Amy Crawford, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
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
But for his own figural edification, Degas made lots of small sculptures, mostly of dancers, horses and bathers, subjects that also populated his paintings.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
Higgins and her colleagues, though, are concentrating on figural graffiti, which range from humans and animals (often representing a god) to game boards likely carved by Isis’ priests for diversion during their off hours.
—Amy Crawford, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
Adjective
-
Taking inspiration from 16th-century outdoor sculpture courtyards, this (indoor) exhibition explores the range of figurative human sculptures in the Walker’s collection.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
-
An English translation of the French story that was first published in 2023, the 208-page tome tells the story of the many obstacles and near-figurative deaths Lucas had to overcome in order to make what would become one of the most consequential movies in pop culture history.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the investment world, we’re taught not to catch the metaphorical falling knife, or to invest when a business or an asset is losing its value.—
Vilius Kavaliauskas,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
But what if a woman grows up not in a metaphorical cult but in a real one?—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The symbolic weight of the Golden Lion matters, not just to the artists but to the entire field.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The ruling landed as a symbolic rebuke of Musk’s sway over Tesla, and a warning about the excesses of Silicon Valley’s cult-of-founder ethos.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share