as in figurative
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
"a candidate running for office" is just a figural expression
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of figural
The holders come in a set of two, adorned with figural bunnies.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
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
Austria, Germany, and Japan became famous for exporting figural bulbs.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for figural
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
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
Austria, Germany, and Japan became famous for exporting figural bulbs.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
Adjective
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The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 8 laptop shows up ready to work, with a snappy Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a generous 32GB of RAM, and a spacious 2TB SSD in its (figurative) briefcase.
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The figurative scales of justice are totally out of whack now.
Adjective
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The scene is a Pyrrhic victory, however, because its self-transcending metaphorical power only emphasizes the blandly literal hour and a half that came before.
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In other words, the metaphorical coin must be weighted—in this case, by hominins doing things on purpose, like laying their dead to rest in the narrow, twisting darkness of Rising Star.
Adjective
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Thune did not speak during the meeting but scheduled a symbolic follow-up vote that evening in which two Republicans flipped their original votes.
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This ‘Statehood Quarters’ collection is so inclusive and symbolic of this great nation.
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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