variants
also symbolical
as in representational
having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else
the butterfly in the poem is symbolic of the impermanence of youth
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Recent Examples of symbolic
For me, there’s something more symbolic about it.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
The lack of such evidence points to horse meat and/or blood being prepared and consumed under special circumstances, likely in a symbolic or ritual context, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
The West has offered symbolic aid, modest subsidies, and a few fact-checking initiatives.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The move, however, is largely symbolic without support from the United States, which has the power to veto membership and is not attending Monday’s summit.
—Tara John, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
The lack of such evidence points to horse meat and/or blood being prepared and consumed under special circumstances, likely in a symbolic or ritual context, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
The West has offered symbolic aid, modest subsidies, and a few fact-checking initiatives.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The move, however, is largely symbolic without support from the United States, which has the power to veto membership and is not attending Monday’s summit.
—Tara John, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
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These models encode representational maps.—
Eric Markowitz,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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In bird and wildlife art more broadly, there will always be a place for the strictly representational, for realism, but any medium or genre refusing to evolve dies.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Kehoe’s signature, which was widely expected, will come more than two weeks after Republican lawmakers approved the map during a pivotal special legislative session aimed at representative and direct democracy in Missouri.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
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While this was somewhat representative of the obstacles and equipment in real factories, there are lots of possible workpieces with more organic shapes.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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