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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of symbolic
Overall, 60% of the system’s emoji indicated an emotion (😕, 😬, 😉) while the rest were informational or symbolic (🚫, 🩺, 👟).
—
Katie Palmer, STAT, 14 Jan. 2026
The symbolic heartbeat of Leimert Park, Degnan Boulevard looks different than when Harun closed its doors three years ago.
—Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
That result was not accidental or symbolic.
—Wanda James, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
When Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s army was disintegrating in the face of a rapid advance by Syrian opposition forces under the command of Ahmad al-Sharaa, all the Russians were willing to do was launch a few symbolic airstrikes and help organize Assad’s getaway to a life in exile.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Katie Palmer, STAT, 14 Jan. 2026
The symbolic heartbeat of Leimert Park, Degnan Boulevard looks different than when Harun closed its doors three years ago.
—Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
That result was not accidental or symbolic.
—Wanda James, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
When Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s army was disintegrating in the face of a rapid advance by Syrian opposition forces under the command of Ahmad al-Sharaa, all the Russians were willing to do was launch a few symbolic airstrikes and help organize Assad’s getaway to a life in exile.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
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
-
Measurements of representational similarity invariably involve a host of experimental choices that can affect the outcome.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
7 Jan. 2026
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Today, this kind of progress is most often depicted by representational politics, the idea that the representation of a minority group or of women in positions of power and privilege are indicators of progress.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
But his comment was emblematic of his relationship with the legislature, which fellow Democrats have controlled for the entirety of his two terms in office.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The person pointed to munitions production as emblematic of the issue.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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