1
as in subtropical
being near the equator
wanted to escape winter and visit some tropical location where freezing to death would not be a possibility
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in metaphoric
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
an author given to high-flown tropical phrasings and convoluted symbology
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tropical
The combo is piled high on a bed of creamy, equally tropical coconut rice.
—
Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Last April’s opening of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the tropical coastal hillsides of Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, marked the eighth entrant into the collection.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Bill Kearney covers the environment, the outdoors and tropical weather.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
In dry air, the leaves of tropical houseplants will get crispy brown edges.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tropical
Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Last April’s opening of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the tropical coastal hillsides of Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, marked the eighth entrant into the collection.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Bill Kearney covers the environment, the outdoors and tropical weather.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
In dry air, the leaves of tropical houseplants will get crispy brown edges.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tropical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tropical
Adjective
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Despite a subtropical climate, rainfall is limited, freshwater resources are scarce and Atlantic trade winds regularly sweep across the islands carrying salt and humidity.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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What to know about Okinawa Okinawa is Japan’s sole subtropical region, attracting visitors seeking white sand beaches and swaying palms.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The tides—both the literal and the metaphorical ones within us—become more palpable.—
Danijela Pilic,
Glamour,
3 Jan. 2026
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But both Yemi and her bodyguard/fiancée Ennova Grey fear that the princess may never be able to swim back to the surface from Ursla’s literal and metaphorical darkness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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La Niña ending La Niña is only expected to continue for about another month or so, but after that, waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are likely to begin warming.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Jan. 2026
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One major natural factor in global temperatures is the El Nino/La Nina oscillation — a cyclic warming or cooling of the equatorial Pacific that changes weather across much of the planet.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Parked along the beach, there’s a moment to consider how the figurative tide is changing.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
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The interior is not only a literal and figurative reflection of the exterior, where the family spends most of their time on the lake and grounds, but its new floor plan was conceived, Brent explains, by looking at the key moments in the family’s day as concentric ripples on water.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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However, giving in to January’s grayness — both literal and figural — is not the only option.—
Morayo Ogunbayo,
AJC.com,
1 Jan. 2026
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The figural birds are crafted in platinum and 18-karat gold with gemstones — appearing to perch upon the wearer.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At that time, the Turlock City Council refused to allocate a symbolic $1 and a letter of support that would have unlocked more than $270,000 in state funding for the city's only low-barrier shelter.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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The designation is more symbolic than anything, according to PAHO.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tropical. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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