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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of metaphoric
The metaphorical mountain is something Robbins also became deeply connected to throughout the career-elevating process of writing Apex.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Since one of the metaphorical aspects of the script concerns how swiftly conflicts can flare up from small disagreements into major knock-down-drag-out fights, showing the violence and bared-teeth snarling is appropriate, a lighter touch could work, too.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
The Purchasing Decision Model In understanding the cognitive processes used in purchasing decisions, some researchers have employed the concept of the black box, a metaphorical construction used to describe the cognitive and affective processes used by a consumer during a buying decision.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The Chicago White Sox gave a metaphorical game ball to a World War II veteran, naming him their hero of the game.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Both Haymes and Potteiger later insisted that their remarks were not sincere expressions of violent intent, but rather metaphorical calls for Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, to find salvation in their brand of Christianity.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Something natural decay shares with human indifference and brutality—war, waste, and rot, literal and metaphorical.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Emerging from a production partnership between the This Is Important trio and iHeart, the weekly series will find hosts Jay and English hopping into a metaphorical time machine to spend a day in the past in hope of understanding the chaos that is sure to be the future.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Wendy's wasn't Thomas' first flip of the metaphorical burger.
—Bob Vitale, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Since one of the metaphorical aspects of the script concerns how swiftly conflicts can flare up from small disagreements into major knock-down-drag-out fights, showing the violence and bared-teeth snarling is appropriate, a lighter touch could work, too.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
The Purchasing Decision Model In understanding the cognitive processes used in purchasing decisions, some researchers have employed the concept of the black box, a metaphorical construction used to describe the cognitive and affective processes used by a consumer during a buying decision.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The Chicago White Sox gave a metaphorical game ball to a World War II veteran, naming him their hero of the game.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Both Haymes and Potteiger later insisted that their remarks were not sincere expressions of violent intent, but rather metaphorical calls for Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, to find salvation in their brand of Christianity.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Something natural decay shares with human indifference and brutality—war, waste, and rot, literal and metaphorical.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Emerging from a production partnership between the This Is Important trio and iHeart, the weekly series will find hosts Jay and English hopping into a metaphorical time machine to spend a day in the past in hope of understanding the chaos that is sure to be the future.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Wendy's wasn't Thomas' first flip of the metaphorical burger.
—Bob Vitale, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphoric
Adjective
-
In Times of Dragons [Universal/Fontana] Dealing with demons is nothing new for Tori Amos, but on her 18th studio album, there’s little that’s figurative about the struggle between human good and Trumpian evil.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
By the 1980s, Baselitz’s profile began to expand beyond Germany, when he was exhibited in dialogue with figurative painters sharing his expressionist leanings, including Italy’s Sandro Chia and Francesco Clemente.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The number distilled the North Beach revue (which closed New Year’s Eve 2019) famous for its oversized figural hats, musical parodies and fairy-tale characters into 11.5 minutes.—
Culture Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The holders come in a set of two, adorned with figural bunnies.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
During a brief appearance in front of the cameras, the pope gave Rubio the symbolic gift of an olive-wood pen.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
-
Once the most powerful jobs in television, evening anchors like Tony Dokoupil now occupy a more symbolic perch.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Metaphoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphoric. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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