1
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind
a representative example of what that talented chef can do with even simple ingredients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in symbolic
having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else
a red cross on this map is representative of a hospital or other medical facility
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 representative
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
Ficus benghalensis, Acacia species, Terminalia pendula, Azadirachta indica, Butea monosperma, Capparis decidua, Prosopis cineraria, and Zizyphus mauritania are some of the representative flora of the park.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
Podcasts in the Living Room is based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,003 monthly podcast consumers aged 18+ in the United Kingdom, conducted between March 3-9, 2026.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for representative
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
Ficus benghalensis, Acacia species, Terminalia pendula, Azadirachta indica, Butea monosperma, Capparis decidua, Prosopis cineraria, and Zizyphus mauritania are some of the representative flora of the park.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
Podcasts in the Living Room is based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,003 monthly podcast consumers aged 18+ in the United Kingdom, conducted between March 3-9, 2026.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for representative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for representative
Adjective
-
Once the Islander opened the door, in typical Love Island USA fashion, they were prompted to kiss the other islanders with common interests.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
In the Veritasium video, Humphreys speculated that the Russians may have been testing the satellites’ GPS interference capabilities only briefly on a neighboring frequency adjacent to the typical GPS band.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
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
-
Jabbing pain and constant malaise followed him for years, but regular blood tests always came back normal — until one day a specialist thought to ask something new.—
Rachel Zimmerman,
Washington Post,
6 June 2026
-
Although resuming his normal testosterone dosage shortly after the procedure, Kenny’s menstrual cycle started to return.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
The organization calculated the average tuition and financial aid assistance at schools around the nation, then report the median of those averages.—
Chase Jordan
June 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
-
According to the website Extreme Weather Watch, here is the average high and low temperature in Kansas City on the dates of the six matches scheduled here.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
There are past precedents for how that is not true.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
With its overall Life in Balance philosophy, Miraval Resorts and Spas has led the way in recognizing just how valuable and restorative a true connection with other humans and the natural environment can be.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
In a matter of months, unmanned vehicles have gone from rare frontline curiosities to standard issue.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
What sets a skillcation apart from a standard tour is the depth of the experience.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Representative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/representative. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
