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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of symbolic
The Georgia Republican Party passed a resolution last year seeking to block Raffensperger from qualifying for office, a symbolic move that underscored the lingering anger toward him inside the party.
—
Joe Kovac, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony was symbolic, as Nebius still has to submit final building plans to the city.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
As such, the necklace serves as a symbolic piece for Queen Camilla — one of renewal and movement into the future.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Red tulips are symbolic of romance, a perfect spring surprise for that special person.
—Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Joe Kovac, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony was symbolic, as Nebius still has to submit final building plans to the city.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
As such, the necklace serves as a symbolic piece for Queen Camilla — one of renewal and movement into the future.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Red tulips are symbolic of romance, a perfect spring surprise for that special person.
—Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
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The proposal contains a representative menu, with prices in the $20 to $45 range, though the proposal indicates that specialty steaks may run higher.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
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About half — 51% — of women hold their non-retirement funds either in traditional checking or savings accounts, or in physical cash, according to Vanguard's nationally representative survey of 1,007 adult women conducted in April.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Her own work moves between evocative and representational — but there’s always a thread.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Day positioned the four cover stars as emblematic of the franchise’s evolving lens on beauty and influence.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
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The design is emblematic of the festival’s on-the-road roots, for sure.—
Selena Fragassi,
SPIN,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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