as in metaphoric
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
the figurative use of "allergy" to mean "a feeling of dislike"
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Recent Examples of figurative
Travelers cite presidential rhetoric and policies manifesting in highly public wars — both figurative and literal — as some of the reasons for staying away.
—
Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Yuskavage, who is now in her sixties, began showing her paintings in the nineteen-nineties, and has since become one of the most important—and certainly one of the most successful—American figurative painters working today.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
Another superb show featured Matthew Wong, a painter of intimate, hauntingly lovely figurative works inspired by van Gogh and Matisse.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
In practice, that means a collector can walk from an Egyptian stele to a Calder mobile to a brand-new figurative painting in less than two minutes.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Yuskavage, who is now in her sixties, began showing her paintings in the nineteen-nineties, and has since become one of the most important—and certainly one of the most successful—American figurative painters working today.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
Another superb show featured Matthew Wong, a painter of intimate, hauntingly lovely figurative works inspired by van Gogh and Matisse.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
In practice, that means a collector can walk from an Egyptian stele to a Calder mobile to a brand-new figurative painting in less than two minutes.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
Adjective
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McDougall draws a metaphorical line that runs from these dancers to the hip-hop dancers of the latter part of the century, making up new moves on street corners and in clubs, expanding the form’s range and complexity.—
Marina Harss,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
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The flames have ceased to be metaphorical for an industry long guilty of overproduction; the global fashion industry is simply making too many clothes.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The number distilled the North Beach revue (which closed New Year’s Eve 2019) famous for its oversized figural hats, musical parodies and fairy-tale characters into 11.5 minutes.—
Culture Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
13 Mar. 2026
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The holders come in a set of two, adorned with figural bunnies.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The vote June 3, which was mostly symbolic, marked a new period of congressional unease with the conflict in the Middle East amid an impasse in peace negotiations.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The Princess of Wales accessorized with symbolic jewelry, including a lapis lazuli necklace that has a meaningful connection to Manchester.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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