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
Relief should be structural, not symbolic.
—
Michael Richard, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
The event itself was designed as a response to that gap, moving beyond symbolic support to direct access.
—J.m. Banks
march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Xiaoying’s view China’s e-truck boom is already having — and will continue to have — profound, tangible domestic and global impact, as well as significant symbolic value.
—Xiaoying You, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Symbolism and historical context The possible transition carries symbolic weight as well.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Michael Richard, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
The event itself was designed as a response to that gap, moving beyond symbolic support to direct access.
—J.m. Banks
march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Xiaoying’s view China’s e-truck boom is already having — and will continue to have — profound, tangible domestic and global impact, as well as significant symbolic value.
—Xiaoying You, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Symbolism and historical context The possible transition carries symbolic weight as well.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
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The framework then proposes evaluating AI systems across all 10 faculties and comparing their performance to a representative sample of human adults with at least the equivalent of a secondary education.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Regardless of the election’s outcome, Wagner is highlighting fundamental issues regarding the mechanics of representative government.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
29 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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The apparent split between Rubio and Vance on the Iran war is emblematic of the divide starting to cleave within the Republican Party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Fractures are emerging in the GOP The apparent split between Rubio and Vance on the Iran war is emblematic of the divide starting to cleave within the Republican Party.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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