as in metaphorical
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
the figurative use of "allergy" to mean "a feeling of dislike"
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Recent Examples of figurative
Her previous works as a sculptor feature mostly figurative pieces, especially cheerful ones of animals in motion.
—
Canaan Lidor, Sun Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024
The Dodgers were into the Padres bullpen in a figurative sense a short while later.
—Kevin Acee, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024
In her life-size figurative sculptures, Uddenberg depicts female bodies whose proportions—and contortions—are exaggerated far into the uncanny valley.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024
But even a figurative bronze counts as a remarkable achievement for a reliever in balloting for an award that has increasingly become the exclusive domain of starting pitchers.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for figurative 
Canaan Lidor, Sun Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024
The Dodgers were into the Padres bullpen in a figurative sense a short while later.
—Kevin Acee, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024
In her life-size figurative sculptures, Uddenberg depicts female bodies whose proportions—and contortions—are exaggerated far into the uncanny valley.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024
But even a figurative bronze counts as a remarkable achievement for a reliever in balloting for an award that has increasingly become the exclusive domain of starting pitchers.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for figurative
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Cite this Entry
“Figurative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figurative. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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