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
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Recent Examples of symbols
Simeon Tegel, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
It is made entirely from gold sheets and ornately decorated with protective symbols.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Its beige-tan suede upper and insole with a rubber sole and white-lace tie is styled against a white shoe body with navy swoop symbols on the sides.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The Vatican has announced a theme for each country along the pope’s journey and four logos that combine Christian images with symbols of each nation.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The symbols were easily appropriated for marketing by roadside vendors but weren’t indicative of the separate and distinct Native American cultures in the area.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Again and again, the theme of the book is the connection between symbols and content, between contents and meaning.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
In targeting the symbols of Dubai’s soft power, Iran confirmed their significance.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
Palestinian American and New Yorker Rajie Cook created the public and civic symbols for escalators, restrooms and airports in the mid-1950s.
—Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Voters will face a jumbo-sized ballot featuring candidates' photos and party symbols, a longstanding practice in a society historically marked by low literacy levels.
—Simeon Tegel, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
It is made entirely from gold sheets and ornately decorated with protective symbols.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Its beige-tan suede upper and insole with a rubber sole and white-lace tie is styled against a white shoe body with navy swoop symbols on the sides.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The Vatican has announced a theme for each country along the pope’s journey and four logos that combine Christian images with symbols of each nation.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The symbols were easily appropriated for marketing by roadside vendors but weren’t indicative of the separate and distinct Native American cultures in the area.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Again and again, the theme of the book is the connection between symbols and content, between contents and meaning.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
In targeting the symbols of Dubai’s soft power, Iran confirmed their significance.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
Palestinian American and New Yorker Rajie Cook created the public and civic symbols for escalators, restrooms and airports in the mid-1950s.
—Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbols
Noun
-
Chaiwalas, or street tea venders, have long been taken as emblems of the small-scale entrepreneurialism by which uneducated Indians can gain subsistence, and, in theory, something more.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The two became emblems of a schism.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But there are already signs that her expulsion would have some bipartisan support.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Markets, meanwhile, showed signs of fatigue.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The site was especially crowded as hundreds of individuals gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the early 19th-century mountaintop fortress that symbolizes sovereignty and resistance against French colonialism.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
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Per the Japanese government, the ritual symbolizes the union of the couple and the joining of their families.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Similar letters from the governor have also been sent to the cities of Houston and Austin.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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This month, 100,000 New York families are sorting through financial aid letters, trying to figure out how to cover college tuition bills due this fall.—
Drew Warshaw,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maris is the mole who works for the Campanos, and Quinn hints to her that their work with Hannah Hall (Jennifer Garner), Owen Michaels (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Bailey (Angourie Rice) may not be over.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
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Most of those features run through the central touchscreen, which hints to how these downloads usually work.—
Sean Tucker,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The dispute moved to federal court, where the club asked a judge to preserve the status quo and invalidate the association’s trademarks as fraudulently obtained.—
JJ Velasquez,
San Antonio Express-News,
12 Apr. 2026
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One of the trademarks of Suter’s career has been his durability and ability to get through multiple innings with minimal pitches.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The annual award show spotlights celebrities, influencers and icons from across the entertainment and media industries who’ve made an impact on Black culture.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
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The label’s young artists were aware of the Queen’s pedigree, and Cruz recorded at a furious pace — mostly with Pacheco, but also with tastemaker Willie Colón, former jazz conguero Ray Barretto, and as resident diva with the label’s conglomerate of icons, the Fania All-Stars.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Local 217 and a vice president of its international group, said the union represents about 1,000 workers in the solidly Democratic 1st Congressional District of Hartford and 26 other communities.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
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The remarkable feat represents a big stride for China in its technological rivalry with the US, which has thus far boasted more sophisticated humanoid models.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbols. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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