symbolic
adjective
sym·bol·ic
sim-ˈbä-lik 
variants
or less commonly symbolical
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a symbol
3
: characterized by or terminating in symbols
symbolic thinking
4
: characterized by symbolism
a symbolic dance
Examples of symbolic in a Sentence
The lighting of the candles is symbolic.
The sharing of the wine has symbolic meaning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marking the start of the solar calendar, it’s known for its anything-goes water festivities: Participants armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses splash each other in a symbolic cleansing of sins and washing away of misfortunes that allow a fresh start in the new year.
—
Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Late last month, the Sudanese military regained control over Khartoum, the capital, a major symbolic victory in the war.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
They were met by thousands of U.S. protesters, and a symbolic call for sovereignty turned into a bloody clash, sparking yearslong discussions about how Panama could take over the canal.
—Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Adolescence escalates all these issues and fears to their most horrifying symbolic end.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
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Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Late last month, the Sudanese military regained control over Khartoum, the capital, a major symbolic victory in the war.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
They were met by thousands of U.S. protesters, and a symbolic call for sovereignty turned into a bloody clash, sparking yearslong discussions about how Panama could take over the canal.
—Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Adolescence escalates all these issues and fears to their most horrifying symbolic end.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symbolic
adjective
sym·bol·ic
sim-ˈbäl-ik
variants
also symbolical
1
: of, relating to, or using symbols or symbolism
a symbolic meaning
symbolic art
2
: having the function or meaning of a symbol
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