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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
Curtained storage solutions—the opposite of the cold, stainless steel shelving that has dominated interiors recently—can also offer a symbolic partition in multiuse spaces.
—
Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
The conversation began with each speaker sharing a symbolic object that represented their journey.
—Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
This chapter in the great singer-songwriter’s life is one of the most symbolic moments in the documentary.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Though viewed as a largely symbolic vote given its low chance of passage, the resolution’s bipartisan support belies a growing and broadening dissatisfaction with the administration’s trade regime.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
The conversation began with each speaker sharing a symbolic object that represented their journey.
—Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
This chapter in the great singer-songwriter’s life is one of the most symbolic moments in the documentary.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Though viewed as a largely symbolic vote given its low chance of passage, the resolution’s bipartisan support belies a growing and broadening dissatisfaction with the administration’s trade regime.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
-
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
-
These models encode representational maps.—
Eric Markowitz,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, the ever-divisive candy corn is perhaps one of the most representative icons of the holiday.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a national database that collects emergency department injury data from a representative sample of about 100 American hospitals, the researchers applied statistical weighting to estimate national injury rates.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share