SYMBOLICAL Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

symbolic

adjective

sim-ˈbä-lik

variants also symbolical

Definition of symbolic

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of symbolic Stones, Soddu explains, have a very long history of being associated with energetic, medicinal, protective, and symbolic properties. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026 Other symbolic motifs, including the cannage pattern and lucky stars, appear throughout. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 The couple did not exchange rings, but there was a symbolic exchange of horseshoes. — Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The symbolic returns of their earlier campaign had been considerable. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for symbolic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic

Adjective

The survey sample was nationally representative by age, gender, location and income.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Unlike pure experimental rigs, Mark-1 is designed as a commercially representative plant.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of representative

Adjective

This literally cataclysmic[6] event was preceded by algebraic computations that were never just representational, as might be more the case for geometry, but were from the outset proactive.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
The reflex to regard America’s earlier representational and nationalist traditions as something to be repudiated, rather than reconsidered, is learned — not inevitable.

— Frank Porcu, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of representational

Browse Nearby Words

symboled

symbolic

symboling

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“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of symbolic

adjective

Example Sentences

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