metaphorically

adverb

met·​a·​phor·​i·​cal·​ly ˌme-tə-ˈfȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈfär-

: in a metaphorical or figurative sense rather than a literal sense : by using a metaphor

At the center of every encryption system is a secret number or mathematical operation, metaphorically referred to as a key.

—Peter Wayner

At a typical event, he comes crashing onstage, delivers a macho statement of intent, metaphorically flexes his muscles, then roars away.

—Terry McCarthy

They settled in Somerville, Mass., next door to Cambridge but metaphorically across the tracks.

—Laura Shapiro

Examples of metaphorically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sweetness and sustenance — pleasure and wealth, metaphorically speaking — are being put away for safekeeping. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Osgood Perkins has guts – literally and metaphorically. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025

Finally, Neptune and the North Node meet in your sector of travel and wisdom on February 7th, urging you to trust your intuition about where you’re meant to go next — literally or metaphorically. —Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 2 Feb. 2025

That worm inside her eats her up, both metaphorically and physically. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metaphorically

• allegorically
• rhetorically