as in loosely
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Recent Examples of metaphorically
By patriarchal design, there is nothing less desirable and less attractive than a woman who refuses to be the vessel of men’s pleasure, literally and metaphorically—lesbianism is the ultimate rejection of the role prescribed to us as women.
—
Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Here, his mournful ex-convict is finally tasting freedom in a country that wants to keep him metaphorically shackled.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Literally and metaphorically, Starr wears his past lightly.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
That view began to rupture as the first shots of the Revolutionary War rang out in Lexington and Concord in 1775, and a year later Americans resolved to topple the king – metaphorically and literally.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Here, his mournful ex-convict is finally tasting freedom in a country that wants to keep him metaphorically shackled.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Literally and metaphorically, Starr wears his past lightly.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
That view began to rupture as the first shots of the Revolutionary War rang out in Lexington and Concord in 1775, and a year later Americans resolved to topple the king – metaphorically and literally.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphorically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphorically
Adverb
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Minotaur may allude to a Greek myth, be loosely based on a film by Claude Chabrol (The Unfaithful Wife), and represent the first work director Andrey Zvyagintsev (The Return, Leviathan) has made entirely outside Russia.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
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Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Adverb
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When Tel received the ball in his own half a couple of minutes later and lost it carelessly, there were a few groans from the home fans.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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During the pavilion’s preview, a brief but loud protest led by Russian dissident disruptors Pussy Riot and the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN might have been the most exciting thing to happen at the underwhelming and carelessly presented group show of live performance and video art.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Adverb
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Though Rogers is Christian, his story of transformation from weakling to hero certainly spoke to young Jewish boys and men, who were often inaccurately portrayed in the media and press as intellectually superior but physically inferior.—
Miriam Eve Mora,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
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In 2024, Abbott recalled several lots of Libre 3 sensors due to inaccurately high readings.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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One person with whom Djena can speak freely is Langston; the two have kept in touch.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Unlike his previous installation of monumental titanium figures in the chapel’s long, narrow layout, this exhibition creates a more balanced environment, allowing visitors to move more freely through the space.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Metaphorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphorically. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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