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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of symbols
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026
Ancient petroglyphs of human figures and cryptic symbols thought to have been scrawled by the Taino, the islands’ pre-Columbian inhabitants, appeared under our flashlight beams.
—Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Political imagery, once governed by ritual and formality, has become increasingly mediated through symbols designed not for judgment, but for recognition.
—Debbie Millman, Time, 7 Jan. 2026
Rockwell understood that democracy weakens when leaders become symbols rather than participants.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
But the story of Aggie took on a life of its own and made her and her cat symbols of hope and survival.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
Similar anxieties surfaced in 1792, as the House considered what symbols should represent the new government on its coins.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez said the designs draw on symbols commonly associated with Venezuela, including national colors, references to freedom and dates that carry meaning within the community.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Now more than two months in, the monks’ walk has become a moving meditation, with Aloka’s steady presence emerging as one of its most recognizable symbols.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
The event featured some confusion around symbols.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026
Ancient petroglyphs of human figures and cryptic symbols thought to have been scrawled by the Taino, the islands’ pre-Columbian inhabitants, appeared under our flashlight beams.
—Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Political imagery, once governed by ritual and formality, has become increasingly mediated through symbols designed not for judgment, but for recognition.
—Debbie Millman, Time, 7 Jan. 2026
Rockwell understood that democracy weakens when leaders become symbols rather than participants.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
But the story of Aggie took on a life of its own and made her and her cat symbols of hope and survival.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
Similar anxieties surfaced in 1792, as the House considered what symbols should represent the new government on its coins.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez said the designs draw on symbols commonly associated with Venezuela, including national colors, references to freedom and dates that carry meaning within the community.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Now more than two months in, the monks’ walk has become a moving meditation, with Aloka’s steady presence emerging as one of its most recognizable symbols.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbols
Noun
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Stroke by stroke, the emblems take shape over time; time Rollins spends reflecting on the drug charges that landed him in jail and what the experience has cost him.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
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Through these stories, audiences learned to view extravagant dwellings as not just emblems of individual success but portals into a fantasy life.—
Kim Hew-Low,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Trade discussions dominated those meetings, but there were signs of growing tensions over Beijing’s surging conventional and nuclear arsenal.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Thanks to their thoughtful preservation efforts, signs of the past remain.—
Mel Studach,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The seal symbolizes the monarch's approval of state documents, meaning the decision is now official, legal and final.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Much like the bull that symbolizes Taurus, these spring babies do tend to be stubborn, but such a trait is probably an asset for this determined bunch.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Words must be of four or more letters.—
Kathleen Saxe,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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As depicted in the film, the real Kelley also got to know Goring’s family, delivering letters from the German military man to his wife.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clip then hints that the small town is anything but, with disappearances of children, creepy creatures and more lurking in its past and haunting the present.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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Durant, 37, reportedly signed a two-year extension worth $90 million with the team on Sunday and the move to acquire the 15-time NBA All-Star hints that the franchise is all-in this season.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
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On Monday, the jury found that Nicklaus Companies—which owns trademarks connected to licensing, golf course design, and several brands, including Golden Bear™ and Jack Nicklaus™—defamed him.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Marking its 43rd edition, the Northern Italian festival will gather a constellation of screen icons, paying additional tribute to Daniel Brühl, Claude Lelouch, Vincent Lindon, Vanessa Redgrave, Stefania Sandrelli, Sergio Castellitto and Aleksandr Sokurov.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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His team will subtly switch the profile icons and cover photos to reflect Remembrance, and the new pictures usually stay in place for about a week on the official royal family accounts.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Malliotakis, who represents the Staten Island resident in Congress, approached Rubio after a briefing given to all House members on the capture of former dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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New York Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican who represents most of the Hudson Valley, is urging the president to lift the suspension.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbols. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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