How to Use metaphorically in a Sentence

metaphorically

adverb
  • Field is a maestro in his own right, at least metaphorically.
    — Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Nov. 2022
  • But it could be applied to men, metaphorically at first.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2025
  • And the very best books will take you by the hand (metaphorically) and teach you a new skill right in your own kitchen.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2023
  • That idea was spooky and poignant and metaphorically potent.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The King and Queen were metaphorically putting an arm around them.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 Mar. 2026
  • To them, the fate of the ranch and the fate of the world are the same thing, not metaphorically speaking but morally.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
  • But instead of being metaphorically stuck in the sand, many of these people are stuck in a rut.
    — Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2022
  • Okay, just metaphorically, because no one needs to relive the trauma of that scene all over again.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The world is in deep water, but only metaphorically.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
  • One that might have a few business leaders kicking stock pots—metaphorically, of course.
    — Eric Miquelon, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • On the moon, there’s gold in them hills, not just metaphorically but literally.
    — David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
  • This guy can do anything, jump off high buildings and survive, metaphorically.
    — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023
  • So here are the best pour-over coffeemakers this week, metaphorically speaking.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 May 2025
  • The best way to combat the urge is to invest in a product that can scratch the itch for you instead—metaphorically.
    — Celeste Polanco, Essence, 30 Aug. 2024
  • Her mom’s in her ear all the time, metaphorically and literally.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 18 May 2024
  • That turns out to be just as unsettling as an eerie lake or a cabin in the woods, and more metaphorically potent to boot.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
  • Here are highlights from a day that started chilly but heated up quickly, metaphorically at least.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2022
  • Welsh isn’t the sort to wear a rack of honors, literally or metaphorically.
    — Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
  • And even with those numbers, the shooting numbers have metaphorically left Earth.
    — Tony Jones, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • And if there’s any deviation from that, they’ll be punished — and not metaphorically.
    — Jennifer Wright, refinery29.com, 2 Sep. 2021
  • The two metaphorically butted heads on the sideline while the 49ers drove down the field to kick a late field goal before halftime.
    — Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Medal or not, she was supposed to cross the finish line, literally and metaphorically, and move on to the next phase of her life.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • And then—this best of all—to walk away, to take a life without taking a life, to kill only the spirit, to murder metaphorically.
    — Christian Wiman, Harper’s Magazine , 14 Dec. 2022
  • But finding the right fit—literally and metaphorically—is worth it in my opinion.
    — Dory Zayas, Allure, 29 Aug. 2025
  • With the loss of their tangible presence in creative spaces, their songs and stylings metaphorically blow in the breeze and swing in the air.
    — Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The song is about the blood women bleed every month in a material sense but also metaphorically.
    — Nicole Froio, refinery29.com, 24 Apr. 2024
  • The sequel covers even more ground than the first film, both metaphorically and literally.
    — Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Try styling with white socks and slim shoes—or even go with heels for a look that’s elevated both literally and metaphorically.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The answer so far, metaphorically speaking, is like taking a Mike Tyson punch.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • At the core of this collection, though, is the heartfelt search for a place to call home, both literally and metaphorically.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 21 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metaphorically.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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