as in metaphorical
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
Onstage, figurative images steal focus from the music.
—
Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
The film takes place in 1954 almost exclusively over the course of one evening at a party thrown by the newly wed Hedda who wields literal and figurative weapons for her own personal amusement and potential financial gain.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Jake Latimer survived the first figurative strike, losing two tribemates when the Kele Tribe finished last in back-to-back immunity challenges on the most recent episode of the CBS reality competition series.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Mirojnick said the production team wanted to make the movie aspirational for young, ambitious showgirls, elevating Nomi above the tackiness of ‘90s Vegas to become the figurative queen of the Strip.
—CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
The film takes place in 1954 almost exclusively over the course of one evening at a party thrown by the newly wed Hedda who wields literal and figurative weapons for her own personal amusement and potential financial gain.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Jake Latimer survived the first figurative strike, losing two tribemates when the Kele Tribe finished last in back-to-back immunity challenges on the most recent episode of the CBS reality competition series.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Mirojnick said the production team wanted to make the movie aspirational for young, ambitious showgirls, elevating Nomi above the tackiness of ‘90s Vegas to become the figurative queen of the Strip.
—CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for figurative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figurative
Adjective
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Projects engage critical questions of ecology, migration, identity, religion, and architecture, and excavate both metaphorical and literal prisons.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
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In the canonical metaphorical example, a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, and the cascading sequence of atmospheric perturbations leads to a tornado in Texas.—
Dan Garisto,
Scientific American,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The figural birds are crafted in platinum and 18-karat gold with gemstones — appearing to perch upon the wearer.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
2 Sep. 2025
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As we are never returned to any figural baseline, our eyes are increasingly ungrounded.—
Jan Tumlir,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Barclays Plc is returning to Saudi Arabia after an 11-year absence, marking both a strategic expansion for the British lender and a symbolic validation of Riyadh’s growing status as the Middle East’s corporate command hub.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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This confirms that the Scythian animal style first developed in the east, later expanding its iconography and symbolic significance to include deer, griffins, boars, and more.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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