Synonyms of figurative

figurative

adjective

ˈfi-g(y)ə-rə-tiv 

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

• metaphoric
• figural
• symbolic
• tropological
• tropical
• extended
• allegorical
• emblematic
• euphemistic
• nonliteral
• veritable
• Aesopian
• catachrestic
• sylleptic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• literal
• nonfigurative
• nonmetaphorical
• nonsymbolic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of figurative

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

Only two mourners were present at the funeral of renowned British figurative painter David Hockney, who died June 11 at the age of eighty-eight The Guardian reports. — News Desk, Artforum, 22 June 2026

Other findings have included evidence of massive animal sacrifices and the first human figurative relief sculptures from Tartesos, depicting women adorned with gold earrings and a warrior wearing a helmet. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 25 June 2026

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