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
McDougall draws a metaphorical line that runs from these dancers to the hip-hop dancers of the latter part of the century, making up new moves on street corners and in clubs, expanding the form’s range and complexity.
—
Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
The flames have ceased to be metaphorical for an industry long guilty of overproduction; the global fashion industry is simply making too many clothes.
—Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
Every time an underperforming manager missed a deadline or botched a client presentation, Marcus would swoop in, grab the metaphorical hose and put out the fire himself.
—Janine Schindler, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Nonetheless, Leeds will arrive at the London Stadium this weekend already on the metaphorical beach.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Bathrooms, stocked with Diptyque amenities, are done up in either Klein blue or blush-pink tiles and feature Hollywood-style mirrors that play up the idea that the metaphorical stage can be yours, too.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026
At the White House’s metaphorical gunpoint, Venezuela is again growing its oil industry.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Perhaps that could work if the film were operating in a more obviously metaphorical or surreal register.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 May 2026
Yes—putting metaphorical pen to page is fundamental, but so, too, is nurturing that which expands my literary capacity.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
The flames have ceased to be metaphorical for an industry long guilty of overproduction; the global fashion industry is simply making too many clothes.
—Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
Every time an underperforming manager missed a deadline or botched a client presentation, Marcus would swoop in, grab the metaphorical hose and put out the fire himself.
—Janine Schindler, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Nonetheless, Leeds will arrive at the London Stadium this weekend already on the metaphorical beach.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Bathrooms, stocked with Diptyque amenities, are done up in either Klein blue or blush-pink tiles and feature Hollywood-style mirrors that play up the idea that the metaphorical stage can be yours, too.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026
At the White House’s metaphorical gunpoint, Venezuela is again growing its oil industry.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Perhaps that could work if the film were operating in a more obviously metaphorical or surreal register.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 May 2026
Yes—putting metaphorical pen to page is fundamental, but so, too, is nurturing that which expands my literary capacity.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphoric
Adjective
-
David Hockney’s first solo show, which opened in London in 1963, was Pictures With People In, a defiantly figurative title for the poster boy of a new and challenging school of painting, Pop Art.—
Robin Muir,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
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The cause of her collapse sounds silly, but that’s also key to its figurative significance.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 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
-
But for the food historian, this is a marvelous insight into the symbolic role this particular item took on as the Renaissance gave way to the Reformation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Obviously, calls from Democratic politicians for Boutros’ resignation are merely symbolic.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Metaphoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphoric. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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