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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
People remember chunks, patterns, and familiar symbols far better than abstract strings.
—Jay Gardiner, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
In the game, a player must find three identical symbols in the same game to win the prize shown for that game.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The black headphones feature two attachable black bows and an ear cushion embellished with symbols inspired by the singer’s music.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
But a funny thing happened to these robotic symbols of American capitalism by the mid-twentieth century.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026
Both the citrus and the tea, Pallez noted, emerged as symbols of luxury in 18th-century Europe.
—Anne Bratskeir, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
According to the World Rock Paper Scissors Association, the game of rock, paper, scissors dates to ancient China in the year 206 BCE, when the symbols were a frog, a snake and a centipede (frog beats centipede, centipede beats snake, and snake beats frog).
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Shooter left notes, symbols, nihilist writings Investigators located the scene where the suspect sparked the fire to set his ambush.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
But the four-poster bed carved with Pica-pau’s symbols feels enchanted and protective.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
People remember chunks, patterns, and familiar symbols far better than abstract strings.
—Jay Gardiner, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
In the game, a player must find three identical symbols in the same game to win the prize shown for that game.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The black headphones feature two attachable black bows and an ear cushion embellished with symbols inspired by the singer’s music.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
But a funny thing happened to these robotic symbols of American capitalism by the mid-twentieth century.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026
Both the citrus and the tea, Pallez noted, emerged as symbols of luxury in 18th-century Europe.
—Anne Bratskeir, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
According to the World Rock Paper Scissors Association, the game of rock, paper, scissors dates to ancient China in the year 206 BCE, when the symbols were a frog, a snake and a centipede (frog beats centipede, centipede beats snake, and snake beats frog).
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Shooter left notes, symbols, nihilist writings Investigators located the scene where the suspect sparked the fire to set his ambush.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 19 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
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The two became emblems of a schism.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With most dogs showing signs of dental disease by age three, simple, low-effort solutions are gaining traction among pet owners looking for consistency without adding complexity.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Sources with knowledge of the case previously told Fox News Digital there were no signs of a struggle inside.—
Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
White represents the frozen North, brown evokes the continents and plains of the South, green looks towards the West with its forest and jungles and blue symbolizes the Eastern horizon where the ocean and sky meet.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
-
Words must be of four or more letters.—
Kathleen Saxe,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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As many as a dozen letters — including one from the NBA — were submitted by the attorney for Aspiration Partners co-founder Joe Sanberg ahead of his sentencing Monday in an effort to persuade the judge to trim the 17 years prosecutors have requested for each of the two counts of fraud.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump hints Iran war could last longer than estimated.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
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Reports claiming Harry and Meghan have taken steps to secure their children’s names across trademarks came after the Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle line announced a Mother's Day collection that included tributes to her children.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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The deal, announced Tuesday, transfers all trademarks and associated rights of the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown from the Stronach Group (doing business as 1/ST) to Churchill Downs ($CHDN).—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That lineage comes through in their ungovernable guitar noodling, inspired by underground icons NRBQ and Bottle Rockets, and a boisterous energy befitting of drunken basement shows.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
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The docu-film features appearances from collaborators, cultural icons, and those closest to him.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mendoza represents a fundamental (and drastic) upgrade at QB.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The loss of Kidal represents a significant blow to Russia’s credibility in Mali, where the military junta has relied on mercenaries to combat Islamic extremism.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbols. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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