Synonyms of figurative

figurative

adjective

ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv 

as in metaphoric

expressing one thing in terms normally used for another

the figurative use of "allergy" to mean "a feeling of dislike"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• metaphoric
• figural
• symbolic
• tropological
• tropical
• extended
• allegorical
• emblematic
• euphemistic
• nonliteral
• veritable
• Aesopian
• catachrestic
• sylleptic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• literal
• nonfigurative
• nonmetaphorical
• nonsymbolic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of figurative

Clear non-starters with Ellison and Para execs, the agenda points also reflect the wide figurative and literal distance between the AGs, their lawsuit partners the WGA and the Melrose lot. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

While nearly 30 players were given the ball cap and figurative clipboard to watch from the sidelines, key position battles unraveled in the desert in the team’s win. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026

If that’s the case, their VC investors could get blown up—hopefully just in the figurative sense. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Photographer Roy Smicht's figurative portraits and landscape shots line the right wall. — Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 2026