variants
or metaphorical
as in figurative
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
an author fond of such metaphorical phrases as "the desert was a fiery furnace"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 metaphoric
The tides—both the literal and the metaphorical ones within us—become more palpable.
—
Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
But both Yemi and her bodyguard/fiancée Ennova Grey fear that the princess may never be able to swim back to the surface from Ursla’s literal and metaphorical darkness.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
After testing 150+ products under a metaphorical microscope, our lab test editor found that industry standards don't always match the real world.
—Adam Trenkamp, Outside, 27 Dec. 2025
Together, the group navigates the literal and metaphorical landmines of boot camp run by the ruthless Sgt.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Hollander and Rozanov are cut from the metaphorical team, and their dynamic slow burn is traded in for something much more cliché and formulaic.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Filmed with the heightened sense of light and dark of a comic book, Alexandrova calls it one of the most metaphoric scenes of the film.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
In the future, Elon Musk sees humans as metaphorical vegetable farmers.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2025
Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage The world is both a literal and metaphorical hellscape right now, and no one knows that better than Natalie Portman.
—Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 14 Nov. 2025
Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
But both Yemi and her bodyguard/fiancée Ennova Grey fear that the princess may never be able to swim back to the surface from Ursla’s literal and metaphorical darkness.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
After testing 150+ products under a metaphorical microscope, our lab test editor found that industry standards don't always match the real world.
—Adam Trenkamp, Outside, 27 Dec. 2025
Together, the group navigates the literal and metaphorical landmines of boot camp run by the ruthless Sgt.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Hollander and Rozanov are cut from the metaphorical team, and their dynamic slow burn is traded in for something much more cliché and formulaic.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Filmed with the heightened sense of light and dark of a comic book, Alexandrova calls it one of the most metaphoric scenes of the film.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
In the future, Elon Musk sees humans as metaphorical vegetable farmers.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2025
Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage The world is both a literal and metaphorical hellscape right now, and no one knows that better than Natalie Portman.
—Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphoric
Adjective
-
Through a range of abstract, atmospheric, and figurative works, the exhibition explored the relationships between perception, memory, and the natural environment.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Her poem is about her broken home, literal and figurative.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
As we are never returned to any figural baseline, our eyes are increasingly ungrounded.—
Jan Tumlir,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Stripped to their symbolic essence, the erotics of Frankenstein are about the body as meat, electrified by carnal pleasure and unencumbered by the soul.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Russian forces appear to be on the brink of finally seizing the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a symbolic victory that President Vladimir Putin has been pursuing for 21 months at an increasingly heavy cost.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Metaphoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphoric. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share