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
Amid Tesla's sharp profit drop recently and criticism over his role in Donald Trump's administration, the Starbase vote would offer a symbolic victory to the billionaire.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Marshall’s legacy shapes his work as symbolic of what could be achieved when Black brilliance met institutional power.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
After the ceremony, Pope Francis will be interred in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas—a deeply symbolic choice that breaks with recent tradition.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025
His symbolic weapon of choice: a very large chainsaw.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Marshall’s legacy shapes his work as symbolic of what could be achieved when Black brilliance met institutional power.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
After the ceremony, Pope Francis will be interred in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas—a deeply symbolic choice that breaks with recent tradition.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025
His symbolic weapon of choice: a very large chainsaw.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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