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"
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Recent Examples of metaphoric
Onanism, albeit of the metaphorical kind, is the very charge Wallace levies against Updike in that review from 1997.
—
Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
That statement was understood at the time as a metaphorical expression of the depth of Republican voters’ commitment to him.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
And is there such a thing as metaphorical cocaine?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
In the future, Elon Musk sees humans as metaphorical vegetable farmers.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
It is organized, as the title states, by water—both actual and metaphorical.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Also on the new top deck will be 10 Grandview Suites, five on each side, with balconies and stunning bathrooms that will be a metaphorical level up from others on board.
—Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Speaking to Sean Baker on The A24 Podcast, Safdie confirmed that Kevin O’Leary’s Milton Rockwell was going to turn out to be a literal vampire and not just a metaphorical one.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
But with the Yellowstone juggernaut now wrapped, my metaphorical money is on its new spinoff Marshalls taking the cake in terms of reach and monetary value.
—Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
That statement was understood at the time as a metaphorical expression of the depth of Republican voters’ commitment to him.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
And is there such a thing as metaphorical cocaine?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
In the future, Elon Musk sees humans as metaphorical vegetable farmers.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
It is organized, as the title states, by water—both actual and metaphorical.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Also on the new top deck will be 10 Grandview Suites, five on each side, with balconies and stunning bathrooms that will be a metaphorical level up from others on board.
—Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Speaking to Sean Baker on The A24 Podcast, Safdie confirmed that Kevin O’Leary’s Milton Rockwell was going to turn out to be a literal vampire and not just a metaphorical one.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
But with the Yellowstone juggernaut now wrapped, my metaphorical money is on its new spinoff Marshalls taking the cake in terms of reach and monetary value.
—Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphoric
Adjective
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Parked along the beach, there’s a moment to consider how the figurative tide is changing.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
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The interior is not only a literal and figurative reflection of the exterior, where the family spends most of their time on the lake and grounds, but its new floor plan was conceived, Brent explains, by looking at the key moments in the family’s day as concentric ripples on water.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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However, giving in to January’s grayness — both literal and figural — is not the only option.—
Morayo Ogunbayo,
AJC.com,
1 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
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The European Union agreed Thursday to list Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization over Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, the bloc's top diplomat said, in a largely symbolic move that adds to international pressure on the Islamic Republic.—
SAM McNEIL AND JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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Fremont has been central to Tesla’s US operations, making the change a symbolic break from the company’s earlier focus on high-end electric vehicles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Metaphoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphoric. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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