figurative

adjective

ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv How to pronounce figurative (audio)
Definition of figurativenext
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

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 figurative The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 8 laptop shows up ready to work, with a snappy Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a generous 32GB of RAM, and a spacious 2TB SSD in its (figurative) briefcase. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026 Our words are a figurative sword and instrument of action under this transit. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 The figurative scales of justice are totally out of whack now. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026 Of course, this could all be a literally and figurative swift ruse on the part of the Miss Americana superstar and her Super Bowl-winning fiancé. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
  1. metaphoric
  2. figural
  3. symbolic
Adjective
  • Souleymane’s journey’s is sluiced by simple but touching scenes such as his bonding with his brother sewing and with grandfather praying and metaphorical shots of the wash of the ocean on Dakar’s beaches.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • With the metaphorical jet fumes already swirling on Capitol Hill, some are at least threatening to potentially put their colleagues on the record for or against adjourning until September.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of metaphoric
Adjective
  • The holders come in a set of two, adorned with figural bunnies.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of figural
Adjective
  • Dating back an astounding sixty-five years, MAD’s iconic sequential art is symbolic of today’s new cybersecurity battlefront.
    — Will Townsend, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Right tackle Austin Jackson returned to practice after missing the previous two practices and tight end Greg Dulcich again wore a red jersey, symbolic of no contact.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

figural
figurative
figure
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on figurative

Nglish: Translation of figurative for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All