tropical

adjective

ˈträ-pi-kəl How to pronounce tropical (audio)
Definition of tropicalnext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tropical The first hurricane of the Atlantic season, Isaias roared farther into Alabama with tropical-force winds. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 In the modern record, only two storms have passed through or just offshore of the state at tropical-storm strength. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 The National Hurricane Center had discontinued all tropical alerts. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Produced alongside Dave 1, the record moves through analog funk, synth-pop, darkwave, dub, tropical textures and the cinematic residue of Mexico City nightlife. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tropical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tropical
  1. subtropical
  2. metaphoric
  3. equatorial
  4. figurative
  5. figural
  6. symbolic
Adjective
  • The plant has been introduced to the tropical and subtropical climatic regions of Australia and North and South America.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The warmer waters often invite tropical and subtropical species.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtropical
Adjective
  • That’s because the acting Oscar races are really more akin to a political campaign that involves millions of dollars, months of meet-and-greets and kissing metaphorical babies, and dozens of screenings and press appearances.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
  • New research suggests that mysterious Little Red Dots discovered in the early universe may actually be overfeeding supermassive black holes, killing two metaphorical birds with one stone.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of metaphoric
Adjective
  • Tortoises routinely seek shade under dense bushes, vanish into mangroves, or shelter from the scorching equatorial sun.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • During El Nino, westward-blowing trade winds across the western equatorial Pacific weaken, allowing warmer water to move east toward North and South America.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of equatorial
Adjective
  • Viewers can ponder Dunham’s dramatic stylistic shift from abstract forms to cartoonish figurative images through the exhibition’s 50 career-spanning works.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • These combine interior and exterior figurative imagery from the tropical foliage and vibrant cityscapes around her, but can appear torn and fragmented.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of figurative
Adjective
  • Bernard, the fabricator of phrases, is the book’s second devotee of metaphor, therefore also the first to beguile the others with the potential and pitfalls of figural language.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • From figural bakers to upgraded pans, the new collection takes fall baking to a whole other level.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of figural
Adjective
  • Several people whose relatives remain missing have performed symbolic funerals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Even Affection had a symbolic shot at the end involving a river.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

tropic
tropical
tropological
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Cite this Entry

“Tropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tropical. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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