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
The young Wolverines had already taken their leave with figurative Texas tread marks ruining their silky white, maize and blue uniforms.
—
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
And just a figurative trolley ride away, at the Heinz History Center, visitors can step inside the neighborhood itself, exploring original sets and props from the beloved series.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Among regime critics, the new leader’s lack of presence – both literal and figurative – has prompted ridicule.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
View gallery - 4 images Many cultures explore the idea of a figurative third eye that enhances perception.
—Etiido Uko
march 14, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
And just a figurative trolley ride away, at the Heinz History Center, visitors can step inside the neighborhood itself, exploring original sets and props from the beloved series.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Among regime critics, the new leader’s lack of presence – both literal and figurative – has prompted ridicule.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
View gallery - 4 images Many cultures explore the idea of a figurative third eye that enhances perception.
—Etiido Uko
march 14, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
Adjective
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Passover is not about a historical event but about a metaphoric explication of an ideal.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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To his wife, Szilvi, the evening’s results had reaffirmed a truth less geographic than metaphoric.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 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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Part of the pressure stems from the symbolic weight placed on wedding imagery.—
Sara Radin,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Israel Defense Forces continued its invasion of southern Lebanon, with a fierce battle raging in the highly symbolic town of Bint Jbeil.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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