FIGURAL Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

figural

adjective

ˈfi-g(y)ə-rəl

Definition of figural

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

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 figural 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 Display of a walking staff with a figural head and wooden ladles reveal a history of carving among the cultures Lewis was raised in. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Austria, Germany, and Japan became famous for exporting figural bulbs. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2021 However, giving in to January’s grayness — both literal and figural — is not the only option. — Morayo Ogunbayo, AJC.com, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for figural

Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural

Adjective

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.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
The figurative scales of justice are totally out of whack now.

— Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Definition of figurative

Adjective

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.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
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.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026

Definition of metaphoric

Adjective

Thune did not speak during the meeting but scheduled a symbolic follow-up vote that evening in which two Republicans flipped their original votes.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
This ‘Statehood Quarters’ collection is so inclusive and symbolic of this great nation.

— Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

figs

figural

figurative

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“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of figural

adjective

Example Sentences

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