1
as in emblems
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
the traditional physician's symbol of a staff entwined with a snake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in signs
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader
the symbol ¶ indicates where a new paragraph should begin symbols such as emoji that are used in texts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 symbols
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
These letters represent symbols of God as the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 May 2026
The design also incorporates traditional symbols, including the Chrome Hearts signature Fleur de Lys, making the store feel both branded and at home in its South of France setting.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Rodríguez has publicly sought to distance her interim government from some of the most notorious symbols of repression associated with the Maduro era.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Some Mexican drug cartels are known to house exotic cats as symbols of power and, occasionally, to dispose of their enemies.
—CBS News, 11 May 2026
The towering Big Tex statue, a 55-foot cowboy that greets visitors at the entrance, has become one of the most recognizable symbols of American fair culture.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
From swastikas scrawled in school bathrooms and subway stations to antisemitic graffiti targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions, symbols of hate are appearing with growing visibility in everyday American life.
—Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
The history wonks upstairs tell us that ancient Egyptians considered butterflies to be symbols of eternity, souls and divine transformation.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Noun
Those rules often involve practical limits like no numbers, symbols, extremely long names, or characters that the state system cannot process.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
These letters represent symbols of God as the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 May 2026
The design also incorporates traditional symbols, including the Chrome Hearts signature Fleur de Lys, making the store feel both branded and at home in its South of France setting.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Rodríguez has publicly sought to distance her interim government from some of the most notorious symbols of repression associated with the Maduro era.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Some Mexican drug cartels are known to house exotic cats as symbols of power and, occasionally, to dispose of their enemies.
—CBS News, 11 May 2026
The towering Big Tex statue, a 55-foot cowboy that greets visitors at the entrance, has become one of the most recognizable symbols of American fair culture.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
From swastikas scrawled in school bathrooms and subway stations to antisemitic graffiti targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions, symbols of hate are appearing with growing visibility in everyday American life.
—Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
The history wonks upstairs tell us that ancient Egyptians considered butterflies to be symbols of eternity, souls and divine transformation.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbols
Noun
-
Others have opted to place banners in the stands or sponsor emblems on seatbacks.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
8 May 2026
-
As Akhavan speaks, the absurdity of reading the lilies as emblems of colonialism is impossible to ignore.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The bones turned out to belong to an elderly male dingo, with worn teeth and possible signs of arthritis.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
-
None of these reactions are character flaws—just signs that the burden of confidentiality might be starting to affect your leadership bandwidth.—
ByMike McIsaac CPA,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Maroon January’s primary birthstone, the garnet, symbolizes loyalty and grounding energy.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
-
Your body responds not just to the memory itself, but to what your brain thinks that memory symbolizes about your social identity.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Smart from the outside at night, the guns from the Gunners impress, the concrete ARSENAL letters outside Drayton Park, good pubs outside, good beer inside.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
One character’s escape is ghostwriting love letters and pornographic stories to entertain his classmates.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Some hints about what is happening The One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
-
Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Applicable trademarks cover a wide range of NASCAR products, including clothing, caps, keychains, toys, miniature cars and board games.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 May 2026
-
But McConaughey’s lawyers point out that the plaintiffs in the case had not registered their voice recordings as trademarks.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The defense still has a pair of franchise icons in defensive lineman Cam Heyward and outside linebacker TJ Watt.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Beyoncé made her Met Gala return in a showstopping silver ensemble with husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy at her side, while Rihanna shut down the carpet with a fashionably late entrance, and music icons Madonna, Stevie Nicks and Cher shocked everyone with their presence on the carpet.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The album’s closing song, a roots-rock reggae number with Sting on the chorus, represents the thirty-year evolution of Shaggy’s career.—
Natalie Meade,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The game’s newest major champion represents a refreshing and unchanging sense of self, bred by memories like those back in Wolverhampton, England.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbols. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
