as in loosely
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Recent Examples of metaphorically
Unfortunately, there are a lot of sacrifices — both metaphorically and not — that must be taken in order to make a name on the field.
—
William Earl, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
For those more comfortable with a $13 starter shot of Kentucky straight bourbon, there’s a speakeasy inside the Cosmopolitan that’s a cut above both literally and metaphorically.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
New gyms in Oakland, Harlem, and other areas aren’t just meeting recreational demand—they’re creating spaces where young people can literally and metaphorically reach new heights.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Garfield was visibly amused and turned in his seat, physically and metaphorically giving his costars the floor to answer, while Roberts and Edebiri gave Polidoro confused glances.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
William Earl, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
For those more comfortable with a $13 starter shot of Kentucky straight bourbon, there’s a speakeasy inside the Cosmopolitan that’s a cut above both literally and metaphorically.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
New gyms in Oakland, Harlem, and other areas aren’t just meeting recreational demand—they’re creating spaces where young people can literally and metaphorically reach new heights.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Garfield was visibly amused and turned in his seat, physically and metaphorically giving his costars the floor to answer, while Roberts and Edebiri gave Polidoro confused glances.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphorically
Adverb
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The protests are all loosely coordinated, happening almost organically online rather than organized and promoted by traditional activist groups or political institutions.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
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Place loosely, rather than pressed directly onto the surface of the food, and make sure the paper isn't touching any interior walls of the microwave.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Wallets, coins, and rings are carelessly passed around this little society, and messages are corrupted—from Orsino’s wooing of Olivia, which is accidentally undone by his own go-between, Viola, to the letters that deceive Malvolio.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
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But also just a touch ironic — like a man handing out fire safety pamphlets while carelessly flipping burgers over a bonfire on his porch.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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Pulte also said James may have inaccurately described her Brooklyn home.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
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Conservatives had complained that the Jimmy Kimmel Live host had inaccurately described the political beliefs held by the man accused of shooting the Turning Point USA founder.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The new rules apply to all travelers from outside the Schengen Area, which is a zone of European countries where people can move freely without border checks.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Interestingly enough, the luminous pearl glides freely through the rail, allowing for subtlety that moves with you.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Metaphorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphorically. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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