as in symbolic
having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else
a computer program with representational icons for different functions
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Recent Examples of representational
Adapting their identities, behaviors, and social realities to the representational limits of machines.
—
Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Her own work moves between evocative and representational — but there’s always a thread.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
This means that representational alignment may be a solvable problem and a step toward addressing broader alignment challenges.
—Arryn Robbins, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
Included are a variety of abstract, representational, landscapes, seascapes and whimsical pieces, some of which have a specific meaning, McCabe said.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The piece is entirely presentational, with minimal representational actions taking place between the brothers.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
But the sight of a Jew excelling in sports is even more than a bit of representational inspiration.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
When attention is this constrained, dedicating visual bandwidth to representational cues necessarily displaces something else.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
As that might lead you to expect, there’s not much to be wildly enthused about here, past the representational plane.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Her own work moves between evocative and representational — but there’s always a thread.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
This means that representational alignment may be a solvable problem and a step toward addressing broader alignment challenges.
—Arryn Robbins, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
Included are a variety of abstract, representational, landscapes, seascapes and whimsical pieces, some of which have a specific meaning, McCabe said.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The piece is entirely presentational, with minimal representational actions taking place between the brothers.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
But the sight of a Jew excelling in sports is even more than a bit of representational inspiration.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
When attention is this constrained, dedicating visual bandwidth to representational cues necessarily displaces something else.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
As that might lead you to expect, there’s not much to be wildly enthused about here, past the representational plane.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for representational
Adjective
-
The vote June 3, which was mostly symbolic, marked a new period of congressional unease with the conflict in the Middle East amid an impasse in peace negotiations.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The Princess of Wales accessorized with symbolic jewelry, including a lapis lazuli necklace that has a meaningful connection to Manchester.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Most recently, late neoliberalism revived a central aspect of 1970s pluralism, retooled as representative diversity—once again under the pressure of political activism, which reckoned with decades of racially exclusionary collecting, exhibiting, and hiring practices at art institutions.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Similarly, the decor throughout the hotel—statues, artwork, and furniture from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America—is representative of their adventures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Representational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/representational. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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