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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of metaphoric
But Bad Bunny also pulled a few other tricks out of his metaphorical hat for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Putting, say, ceramist Magdalene Odundo on the same metaphorical pedestal as artist Huma Bhabha is another.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
That’s one of the le Carré quotations, which is literal and metaphorical.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Tonally limber, this crowd-pleaser is made of slow-motion sequins and plenty of scenes of the increasingly off-balance Kikuchi tripping over her metaphorical feet.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
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
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Putting, say, ceramist Magdalene Odundo on the same metaphorical pedestal as artist Huma Bhabha is another.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
That’s one of the le Carré quotations, which is literal and metaphorical.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Tonally limber, this crowd-pleaser is made of slow-motion sequins and plenty of scenes of the increasingly off-balance Kikuchi tripping over her metaphorical feet.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphoric
Adjective
-
The smaller, figurative collages are somewhat easier to grasp at first glance.—
Benjamin Lima
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Valentine’s Day, a holiday that fills hearts with figurative longing and passion — and literal foodstuffs, like chocolate.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 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
-
In this case, that ball happens to be the complex that serves as the symbolic seat of the nation’s vibrant, messy, questioning, deeply political and hugely alive arts and culture scene.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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While the raw metal value of Olympic medals is small compared with the millions of dollars athletes invest in training, their collective and symbolic value often far exceeds their material worth.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Metaphoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphoric. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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