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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of figurative
Hockney in the 1960s recuperated figurative painting and, more specifically, the human form, both of which had been previously rejected by the abstraction then ascendant.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
12 June 2026
But even annual data center water usage measured in the trillions would represent a figurative (and kind of literal) drop in the bucket compared to national and worldwide water usage statistics.
—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
The Broncos, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office, Denver Water and community groups have all begun placing the figurative dominoes, toy race cars and pulley system that will make up the process to build the stadium.
—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Adorning the hotel is the literal and figurative larger-than-life image of Lionel Messi, the superstar who is among the few most famous people on earth.
—
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
News Desk,
Artforum,
12 June 2026
But even annual data center water usage measured in the trillions would represent a figurative (and kind of literal) drop in the bucket compared to national and worldwide water usage statistics.
—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
The Broncos, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office, Denver Water and community groups have all begun placing the figurative dominoes, toy race cars and pulley system that will make up the process to build the stadium.
—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Adorning the hotel is the literal and figurative larger-than-life image of Lionel Messi, the superstar who is among the few most famous people on earth.
—
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
Adjective
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Frankenstein’s village When work is the only sturdy pillar in a society where government benefits for low-income people, family ties and community institutions have eroded, tablets replace the metaphorical village – the web of social support that helps families thrive.
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Presented with an opportunity to finally confess his feelings to Nikki, our man screws the metaphorical pooch.
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.
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The holders come in a set of two, adorned with figural bunnies.
Adjective
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Excavations uncovered pits with pottery, bones, and a symbolic flint knife, suggesting large ceremonial gatherings.
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The attack’s value is both symbolic and economic, bringing the reality of war home to ordinary Russians through widespread disruption and heaping pressure on the production capacity that powers Moscow’s war efforts.
Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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