as in loosely
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Earl has always rapped metaphorically about his life being akin to a physical journey to a certain destination (fulfillment?
—
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
The sequel covers even more ground than the first film, both metaphorically and literally.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
With the loss of their tangible presence in creative spaces, their songs and stylings metaphorically blow in the breeze and swing in the air.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Trump likes comfort food around him, literally and metaphorically.
—NBC news, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
The sequel covers even more ground than the first film, both metaphorically and literally.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
With the loss of their tangible presence in creative spaces, their songs and stylings metaphorically blow in the breeze and swing in the air.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Trump likes comfort food around him, literally and metaphorically.
—NBC news, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphorically
Adverb
-
Over about three million years, the chromosomes broke at sites where DNA was loosely packed.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Crushed pills were stored loosely in plastic bags.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
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
-
Almost instantaneously, headlines inaccurately stating that Europe had banned all gel manicures popped up, quickly followed by fact-free fearmongering on social media.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Misclassifying an apprentice on the Paseo West-area Jazz Hill Homes project and inaccurately certifying payroll documents.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Instead of freely taking up legal work in Thailand, Sara was smuggled at gunpoint into a scammers’ compound in Myanmar.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Open-source models amplify this risk – they can be freely downloaded, altered, and run offline, enabling rapid innovation but also removing layers of oversight.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Metaphorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphorically. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share