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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Recent Examples of figural
The Temple also had early medieval ancestors called figural or figured poems.
—
V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2023
Along with Claes Oldenburg and Ed Kienholz, Segal (1924-2000) was one of the principal figures to revitalize figural realism in the second half of the 20th century.
—John Wilmerding, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023
There's something majestic about abstract or figural stained glass, which lets light in and offers privacy as well as colorful expression.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 10 Jan. 2023
The back rest is decorated with a lion flanked by figural finials and the curved frame possesses oak leaves.
—Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2023
Along with Claes Oldenburg and Ed Kienholz, Segal (1924-2000) was one of the principal figures to revitalize figural realism in the second half of the 20th century.
—John Wilmerding, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023
There's something majestic about abstract or figural stained glass, which lets light in and offers privacy as well as colorful expression.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 10 Jan. 2023
The back rest is decorated with a lion flanked by figural finials and the curved frame possesses oak leaves.
—Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for figural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figural
Adjective
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The memorial will also feature figurative sculptures, including one depicting the queen with Philip.—
Aurora Martínez,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 July 2025
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So Americans may save figurative pennies—while foreigners lose access to lifesaving drugs entirely.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The move was largely symbolic — such trade is relatively minimal — but demonstrated the worsening of their ties: Brussels is reportedly pressuring Beijing to raise its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions ahead of this month’s meeting.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 July 2025
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In a post symbolic of fears that the company was now directly linked to his America Party, Musk was forced to correct the record that Tesla’s finance chief Vaibhav Taneja was not serving as Treasurer after a convincing fake had been uploaded to the Federal Election Commission’s website domain.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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