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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of symbolic
Although the election was largely symbolic—the Texas legislature is currently not in session, and the candidates will run again in November—it was widely seen as evidence that voters were repudiating the current Republican agenda.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Over the course of her time in the program, Mel has gravitated toward bold creative choices, often working with distorted imagery, expressive sound design, and symbolic visual storytelling to communicate ideas in unconventional ways.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
This is why organizations like AI-Powered Women matter — not as symbolic inclusion efforts, but as infrastructure.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Beshear's March 13 veto of House Bill 1 is largely symbolic.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Over the course of her time in the program, Mel has gravitated toward bold creative choices, often working with distorted imagery, expressive sound design, and symbolic visual storytelling to communicate ideas in unconventional ways.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
This is why organizations like AI-Powered Women matter — not as symbolic inclusion efforts, but as infrastructure.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Beshear's March 13 veto of House Bill 1 is largely symbolic.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
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Skin torn off the top of LeBron James’ knee, the Lakers star sharing a photo to Instagram on Monday morning, is somehow a representative image of how the team hustled its way to a five-game winning streak.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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Did anyone at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette bother to check if these individuals were actually representative of mainline Republican views?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This means that representational alignment may be a solvable problem and a step toward addressing broader alignment challenges.—
Arryn Robbins,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
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Included are a variety of abstract, representational, landscapes, seascapes and whimsical pieces, some of which have a specific meaning, McCabe said.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This story is emblematic of scientific discovery more generally.—
Mariangela Lisanti,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Similarly emblematic restaurants along PCH were damaged or destroyed in the Palisades fire, including Gladstones, which closed for six months and reopened its outdoor dining deck last summer.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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