TROPICAL Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

tropical

adjective

ˈträ-pi-kəl

Definition of tropical

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Intense wind and surging waves from Hurricane Lowell damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads and knocked out power early this week on Kauai, known for its stunning tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. — Gene Johnson, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026 Banisteriopsis caapi, thick, climbing, woody vine (liana) of the Malpighiaceae family, native to tropical South America and widely associated with the rainforests of the Amazon basin. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026 First, a weak tropical disturbance (yellow x and yellow hatched area on the map below) near Hawaii could affect the state in the next few days. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 Hawaii has dealt with impacts from multiple hurricanes in recent weeks, while Southern California continues to see dangerous surf from a tropical system churning several hundred miles offshore, the second such event to affect the region this season. — Dan Peck, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tropical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tropical

Adjective

The virus is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
The yellow-legged hornet is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia and has spread to parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of subtropical

Adjective

Problem spaces are the metaphorical regions that our minds have to navigate to get from a problem to a solution.

— Chris Borland, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Here, your guide to the metaphorical — and literal — cream of the crop for fall, coming in ranging intensities and fruity and dessert-like varieties.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of metaphoric

Adjective

Without the winds, warm water in the east begins to flow back and eventually occupies much of the equatorial waters down to about 300 meters from the coast of South America to the middle of the Pacific.

— Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Photographers who still prefer the traditional approach can switch on an optional equatorial tracking mode or dig into Pro Mode for manual control over exposure and gain, from 1/10,000 of a second up to that 300-second ceiling.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of equatorial

Adjective

Among the others in the welcoming committee are Diana, Mike’s devoted wife of nearly half a century, John Vincent, his figurative adoptive son, and Kira Novak, Vincent’s companion.

— Dan Pompei, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The chaotic, violence-laden sequence is but the first of many in a film that aspires to classic Hollywood action movie status but reduces its effectiveness through overkill of both the literal and figurative kind.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 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

Kardashian isn’t the first high-profile star in recent history to ask a court for a symbolic payout.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The vote ended in a 220 to 204 tally, marking a symbolic rebuke of the president over the largely unpopular war.

— Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

tropic

tropical

tropological

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“Tropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tropical. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tropical

adjective

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