variants
also symbolical
as in representative
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of symbolic
And in the intimate pictures taken by Sinna Nasseri from Election Day, Duwaji is making her own gesture, a symbolic nod to her approach as a political spouse.
—
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
While speaking at her daily news conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum framed the moment as symbolic of a broader issue facing Mexican women.
—Emma Bussey , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Radiohead’s decision to play this tour in the round, on a small circular center stage, feels like a symbolic decision rooted in bringing one another close together to try and regain some sense of grounding and connection.
—Daniel Dylan Wray, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2025
Each of them would go on to make Gracie Mansion not only a private residence but also a symbolic extension of New York City’s public life.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
While speaking at her daily news conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum framed the moment as symbolic of a broader issue facing Mexican women.
—Emma Bussey , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Radiohead’s decision to play this tour in the round, on a small circular center stage, feels like a symbolic decision rooted in bringing one another close together to try and regain some sense of grounding and connection.
—Daniel Dylan Wray, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2025
Each of them would go on to make Gracie Mansion not only a private residence but also a symbolic extension of New York City’s public life.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
-
The moment no longer could be avoided once Matthew Mandell, 65, the executive director of the Westport-Wilton Chamber of Commerce and a member of Westport’s representative town meeting, registered as a candidate for the seat.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
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Stand looking out from the wide intersection of East Mariposa Street and Lake Avenue for one potent, representative view of Altadena a year after the catastrophic Eaton fire.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The effect is to infuse the story with an undeniable and knowing nostalgia; how quaint, at Alma’s party, to find everyone debating matters of representational consequence.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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These models encode representational maps.—
Eric Markowitz,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Moura’s miss was emblematic of a broader pattern with the total shutout of non-English-language films across all categories.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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Their journeys are emblematic of the way the sport has changed.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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