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Definition of figurenext
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as in digit
a character used to represent a mathematical value no doubt the figures on the price tags at the jewelry store are so small because the zeroes are so many

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as in outline
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface we could gradually see the figure of a ship coming our way through the fog

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as in sculpture
a small statue painted wooden figures by untrained artists can be quite valuable on today's antiques market

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as in doll
a three-dimensional representation of the human body used especially for displaying clothes the museum features a collection of figures strikingly attired in suits of medieval armor

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as in motif
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) upholstered the chair with a fabric embossed with figures of fleur-de-lis

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as in diagram
something that visually explains or decorates a text the layout editor could have done a better job of getting the figures on the same page as the specific portion of text that they are intended to illustrate

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as in physique
the type of body that a person has Martha has such a slender figure that just about anything looks good on her

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figure

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verb

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as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement let's figure the juice in the pan to be about a cup and just add it to the mix

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of figure
Noun
The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures. Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026 However, his production alone wasn’t enough to match Houston, which had six players reach double scoring figures. Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Lost amid the euphoria of the first relevant Sharks season in a good long while is the fact that this team is still a collection of kids figuring things out on the fly. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026 Really figure it out and keep that light alive. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figure
Noun
  • Eli Lilly 's fourth-quarter results blew past Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, as key GLP-1 drugs, Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound to treat obesity, grew triple-digits — and there's still plenty of growth ahead.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
  • In a video posted on her Instagram Stories, Dunne was spotted in the right-handed batter’s box braving some pitches by Skenes, who can hit triple digits with his fastball at a whim.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Another approach to the French manicure, this look features little hearts and outlines to add a little interest.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
  • For the Christopher Guest movies, is the script an outline?
    E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Saint Ann’s, an elite private school that charges roughly $60,000 a year in tuition and is known for high Ivy League acceptance rates and attendees that include celebrities, artists and Wall Street executives, has been surrounded by scandal for nearly two years.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The massive installation was created by German artist Benjamin Klapper, who spent more than a month assembling the sculpture in a bid to break a Guinness World Record.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • In addition to the photos, her favorite items in the living room include a blue-and-white mosaic whale-tail sculpture and white ceramic alligator bookends.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Up next, Johnstone will direct the live-action Monster High movie, based on Mattel’s doll line, for the company, as well as Universal Pictures and Akiva Goldsman’s Weed Road.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The group’s notebooks read like fragments of fairy tales or magical realism—years of stories within stories within stories, like Russian nesting dolls.
    Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Prosciutto’s Boston sports motif reflects the Pfyffers’ New Hampshire roots.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Vuitton is plotting a full-court press throughout 2026 around the motif’s origins, with special-edition anniversary collections backed by dedicated campaigns, pop-ups and other animations and surprises.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Wednesday night that will build upon its current deal, which was limited to cloud storage for city documents and programs that allow employees to create notes, diagrams, centralized landing pages and electronic signatures.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • As the diagram suggests, purpose does not exclude profit.
    Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Like gold, bitcoin produces no profits or dividends, and its price depends on what investors will pay for it.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Its share price has risen more than fourfold since its listing, propelling its market capitalization to almost $200 billion — more than the value investors put on the entirety of GE before then-CEO Larry Culp announced his plan to split it up in November 2021.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figure. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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