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
Others have included $14 and $88 in their figures, numbers with symbolic significance to white supremacists.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
Careening toward bankruptcy, this country cannot afford symbolic gesturing.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
The fact that Bronze, a player who leads by example, scored the winning goal was symbolic of Chelsea’s never-say-die attitude.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Images vary from symbolic depictions of a 400-foot tall Beyoncé walking from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House, or lighting her cigarette with the Statue of Liberty's torch to more pointed messages.
—Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
Careening toward bankruptcy, this country cannot afford symbolic gesturing.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
The fact that Bronze, a player who leads by example, scored the winning goal was symbolic of Chelsea’s never-say-die attitude.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Images vary from symbolic depictions of a 400-foot tall Beyoncé walking from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House, or lighting her cigarette with the Statue of Liberty's torch to more pointed messages.
—Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
representative
Adjective
-
The readers’ representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
-
That’s assuming this design is representative of the final phone.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share