1
as in emblem
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
the traditional physician's symbol of a staff entwined with a snake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in sign
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader
the symbol ¶ indicates where a new paragraph should begin symbols such as emoji that are used in texts
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to symbolize
Related 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 symbol
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
This Southwestern dish was created in the 1940s by chef Helen Corbitt as a playful twist on black-eyed peas, a Southern symbol of good luck.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Fortune, 13 June 2022
Press and hold the app icon, tap App Info (the i symbol), and tap Permissions.
—Julian Chokkattu, Wired, 8 Sep. 2020
See All Example Sentences for symbol
Noun
Artist James Hillier, who goes by the moniker Nordacious, started drawing on his iPad, capturing Farnham’s blond mullet and slices of watermelon – a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
This Southwestern dish was created in the 1940s by chef Helen Corbitt as a playful twist on black-eyed peas, a Southern symbol of good luck.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
The laser eyes symbol that Saylor incorporated into his profile picture started in online Bitcoin communities but has spread to the mainstream.
—Fortune, 13 June 2022
Press and hold the app icon, tap App Info (the i symbol), and tap Permissions.
—Julian Chokkattu, Wired, 8 Sep. 2020
See All Example Sentences for symbol
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbol
Noun
-
According to British Vogue, the designer is said to have created the dress as a nod to France, with national flowers and bees — the emblem of Napoleon — embroidered on the skirt.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Fashion Nova baddie in horizontal sprawl off the Vertigo, for example, is an emblem for those in the know.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other factors, including scars, bruising, ligature marks and signs of malnutrition, supported evidence of long-term abuse, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Many of the victims of Saturday's attack were reportedly from a village near the town of Cajibío, where a vigil was held Monday, with hundreds of people dressing in white as a sign of peace.—
Frank Andrews,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Artists affiliated with the Wide Awakes have adopted the original group’s open-eye iconography to symbolize the new wave of followers’ social awakening.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The diamond symbolizes strength, clarity, and enduring love.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Theater blogs and Reddit pages have been mulling the sudden appearance this week in the Broadway theater district of two posters bearing a blue star image that resembles the logo used by the Evita London production and on the Evita Instagram page.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Before the crowd split into teams, one person from each group donned an orange safety vest emblazoned with the logo of BrightView, the landscaping firm that does trash collection downtown.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The film depends on the audience accepting Hathaway’s Mary as an instantly recognizable international icon, complete with her own sound and style.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The murder case against Nick Reiner — who is charged with killing his parents, beloved Hollywood icons Rob and Michele Reiner — will not proceed until September.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dever continues to be represented by attorney Fred Toczek.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In a 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority found that Louisiana district represented by Democrat Cleo Fields relied too heavily on race.—
Mark Sherman,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Presnell in his April 9 order rebuked Florida Virtual School for its pursuit of nationwide damages, writing that its lawyers had presented no proof that the school had suffered financial harm, an essential element of trademark infringement cases.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
The latest, which opened last year, is the Naoshima New Museum of Art, designed by Ando using his trademark concrete and dedicated entirely to works by Asian artists.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The governor was embroiled in a scandal in 2023 involving the Sinaloa cartel, in which his name was published in a letter written by a then-Sinaloa cartel capo whose leaders of a rival faction the cartel had kidnapped.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
Unlike those cases, few details other than what Ghio shared in her letter are known about the child who died in an apparent suicide last week — a manner of death that is still being confirmed by the medical examiner.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbol. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
