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
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
Measurements of representational similarity invariably involve a host of experimental choices that can affect the outcome.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
Today, this kind of progress is most often depicted by representational politics, the idea that the representation of a minority group or of women in positions of power and privilege are indicators of progress.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
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
Measurements of representational similarity invariably involve a host of experimental choices that can affect the outcome.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
Today, this kind of progress is most often depicted by representational politics, the idea that the representation of a minority group or of women in positions of power and privilege are indicators of progress.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for representational
Adjective
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As development continues, the race between humans and machines may soon extend beyond symbolic comparisons.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
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So while the floor debate may get heated, any vote that takes place on the bill is mostly symbolic, and all-but-certain to fail.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Skin torn off the top of LeBron James’ knee, the Lakers star sharing a photo to Instagram on Monday morning, is somehow a representative image of how the team hustled its way to a five-game winning streak.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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Did anyone at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette bother to check if these individuals were actually representative of mainline Republican views?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Representational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/representational. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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