metaphorically

adverb

Definition of metaphoricallynext
as in loosely

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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 metaphorically And Black’s passion for art would come to figure, metaphorically, in at least one of their interactions. — William D. Cohan, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026 The Graces helped love bloom in the world, metaphorically and literally. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Deadline has been in town to assess the mood and take the temperature of an industry that is both metaphorically and physically changing. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 Instead of literally backing away, in this example, the person metaphorically backs away by completing the session and exiting as expected without further conflict. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphorically
  1. loosely
  2. carelessly
  3. inaccurately
  4. freely
Adverb
  • The plot, very loosely adapted from a book by Douglas Kennedy, concerns Tom (Ethan Hawke), an American novelist who gets stranded in Paris, broke, with a gluey case of writer’s block.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Then the duo begins, and everyone leans forward, rapt, hands clasped loosely in front of them, mouthing every word.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of loosely
Adverb
  • Jasson Domínguez, still a liability on defense, carelessly let a leadoff single bounce past him and roll to the wall in right for a two-base error, but Cole managed to strand the runner at third and logged a scoreless frame.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Omar Alderete, O’Nien’s second-half replacement, carelessly did the same thing for the late winner.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of carelessly
Adverb
  • In 2011, Kobach was fined $5,000 by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission — KPDC’s precursor — for inaccurately reporting more than $75,000 in contributions and expenditures during the 2010 election.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Many lawyers have been caught citing fake cases in briefs or inaccurately describing real cases.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of inaccurately
Adverb
  • With little or no string tension, the charge spread freely through the chain.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • It’s been yo-yoing on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow oil to flow freely again from the Middle East.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of freely

Browse Nearby Words

metaphoric
metaphorically
metaphors
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Cite this Entry

“Metaphorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphorically. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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