symbols 1 of 2

Definition of symbolsnext
plural of symbol
1
as in emblems
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark the traditional physician's symbol of a staff entwined with a snake

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in signs
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader the symbol ¶ indicates where a new paragraph should begin symbols such as emoji that are used in texts

Synonyms & Similar Words

symbols

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of symbol

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 symbols
Noun
Kara Jakubik, a 17-year-old Life Scout with Scouting America and an Ambassador with Girl Scouts, spent the morning with other volunteers walking through rows of headstones searching for symbols, such as military branch emblems. Abigail Dollins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026 But for others, the typo resurgence could be clearing the way for the resuscitation of other, old-school symbols of sloppy writing. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 Further symbols associated with neo-Nazism and militant accelerationism were found at the scene of the shooting, including a flag with a Sonnenrad on it and a gas can with SS bolts drawn on it, according to sources. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 20 May 2026 According to law enforcement sources, the FBI is investigating a livestream feed of the attack or the aftermath from inside a BMW that captures the suspects in combat outfits that include Nazi symbols with guns visible. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 If it is treated as a disciplined effort to combine security guarantees, infrastructure renewal, governance reform, and private capital, then Ukraine’s farms, mills, mines, and energy system could become more than symbols of resilience. Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 These letters represent symbols of God as the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega). Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 May 2026 The design also incorporates traditional symbols, including the Chrome Hearts signature Fleur de Lys, making the store feel both branded and at home in its South of France setting. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026 Rodríguez has publicly sought to distance her interim government from some of the most notorious symbols of repression associated with the Maduro era. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbols
Noun
  • Others have opted to place banners in the stands or sponsor emblems on seatbacks.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 May 2026
  • As Akhavan speaks, the absurdity of reading the lilies as emblems of colonialism is impossible to ignore.
    Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • The bones turned out to belong to an elderly male dingo, with worn teeth and possible signs of arthritis.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
  • None of these reactions are character flaws—just signs that the burden of confidentiality might be starting to affect your leadership bandwidth.
    ByMike McIsaac CPA, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Maroon January’s primary birthstone, the garnet, symbolizes loyalty and grounding energy.
    Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
  • Your body responds not just to the memory itself, but to what your brain thinks that memory symbolizes about your social identity.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Smart from the outside at night, the guns from the Gunners impress, the concrete ARSENAL letters outside Drayton Park, good pubs outside, good beer inside.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • One character’s escape is ghostwriting love letters and pornographic stories to entertain his classmates.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Some hints about what is happening The One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
  • Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Applicable trademarks cover a wide range of NASCAR products, including clothing, caps, keychains, toys, miniature cars and board games.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 May 2026
  • But McConaughey’s lawyers point out that the plaintiffs in the case had not registered their voice recordings as trademarks.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • The defense still has a pair of franchise icons in defensive lineman Cam Heyward and outside linebacker TJ Watt.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 May 2026
  • Beyoncé made her Met Gala return in a showstopping silver ensemble with husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy at her side, while Rihanna shut down the carpet with a fashionably late entrance, and music icons Madonna, Stevie Nicks and Cher shocked everyone with their presence on the carpet.
    Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • The album’s closing song, a roots-rock reggae number with Sting on the chorus, represents the thirty-year evolution of Shaggy’s career.
    Natalie Meade, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • The game’s newest major champion represents a refreshing and unchanging sense of self, bred by memories like those back in Wolverhampton, England.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Symbols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbols. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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