1
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment will be guests at the White House dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sculpture
a small statue
painted wooden figures by untrained artists can be quite valuable on today's antiques market
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
7
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in price
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something
a number of the paintings at the auction sold at figures far higher than had been estimated
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9
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the ice sculpture at the banquet was in the figure of an eagle spreading its wings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
11
as in calculation
figures plural
the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value
a person with a good head for figures
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12
as in look
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
unshaven and dirty, he presents a sorry figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to decide
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
we figured that we had better arrive early at the concert in order to get good seats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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3
as in to calculate
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the car dealer figured that our monthly car payment would be $357
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4
as in to think
to have as an opinion
the father figures that girls should have the same athletic opportunities as boys and supports his daughter's interest in soccer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of figure
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 17 May 2026
The figures were especially challenging to create because they were cast in titanium, a process far more difficult than casting traditional precious metals because of titanium’s lightweight structure, strength and high melting temperature.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Shipp figured his days in the studio were history.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Noun
Oldfield reportedly told the bank that Epstein brought in more than $1 million a year in fees and trading income, a figure consistent with earlier internal estimates that had pitched his potential value at $2 million to $4 million annually, according to the Financial Times.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 17 May 2026
The figures were especially challenging to create because they were cast in titanium, a process far more difficult than casting traditional precious metals because of titanium’s lightweight structure, strength and high melting temperature.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Verb
But the problem is that everybody has figured this out now, so the threshold keeps moving.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Shipp figured his days in the studio were history.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figure
Noun
-
In the small sample that Sportico observed, Kalshi rounded down when the lower number was the closest full digit.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
13 May 2026
-
Both the Gel-1130 and Gel-NYC footwear models produced triple-digit growth, followed closely by high double-digit growth of the Gel- Kayano footwear franchise compared to the same period in 2025.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
This basic outline is similar in scope to Apollo 9, a 1969 mission in which a three-astronaut crew spent 10 days testing the spacecraft’s ability to land on the moon from the comfort of low-Earth orbit.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
16 May 2026
-
Legal professionals use ChatGPT to draft initial contract language, summarize legal documents, explain complex concepts in plain language, prepare deposition outlines, and structure legal arguments.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
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 celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
The audience for the midnight screening was rowdy and ready to see their favorite celebrities on screen.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Last month, Drake revealed the album’s release date by installing it inside a giant ice sculpture in downtown Toronto, which was retrieved and revealed by Twitch streamer Kishka.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
-
Down on 24th, the gigantic Giuseppe Penone at Gagosian was blissfully empty, the big Prousted room with the sculpture pegged on top of the cork.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The thing that first struck Sawyer was his giant collection of dolls.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
-
The craft class for schoolgirls — including how to fabricate doll furniture — would be continued Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for the duration of the summer.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The suited ensemble emphasized militaristic utility, with a long-sleeve jacket embroidered with muted gold sinuous motifs.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
-
Their tiered form nods to the cloud terrace motif that appears repeatedly in New Mexico’s indigenous Pueblo art and architecture.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps the best example of such a classification system, Beatty says, is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
-
The diagrams of passengers pulling out floatation devices and assuming crash position were presented with a crisp, legible aesthetic similar to the look of Ikezoe’s paintings.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Multiple studies in 2024–26 have ranked San Jose as the least affordable housing market in the United States, based on comparisons of home prices to local incomes.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
On Thursday, a tipster sent us a copy of a similar bulletin drafted by Nissan in anticipation of a similar supply crunch—and an accompanying price hike for service departments.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figure. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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