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
The coins had a variety of reverse types, or symbolic images on their tail sides.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Acknowledging Palestinian self-determination is an overdue and essential symbolic step.
—Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
The designation was purely symbolic, meant to show the city was welcoming to immigrants.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
Gleason was seen as a symbolic figurehead, with tech mogul Elon Musk in charge.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Acknowledging Palestinian self-determination is an overdue and essential symbolic step.
—Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
The designation was purely symbolic, meant to show the city was welcoming to immigrants.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
Gleason was seen as a symbolic figurehead, with tech mogul Elon Musk in charge.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
representative
Adjective
-
That survey of 3,300 farmers included participants reached through various organizations, and the findings may not be representative of farming as a whole.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Polling was conducted online and segmented by gender, region, political affiliation, age, and race to ensure a representative sample.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
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