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
The policy blitz is intended to demoralize and disorient ordinary Americans and force them into resignation—either literal or figurative—to the far right's designs for American government and democracy.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Whether that site from Freedman shows up online before Monday’s hearing is TBD, but at the rate the figurative grenades have been chucked in this ever expanding saga, don’t discount it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
So, accept it, put down the figurative pitchforks and take a seat for a TED Talk from your old pal Scott, a distinguished scholar in the field of Iowa pessimistic studies.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
In his time, Arcimboldo turned vegetables and fruits into figurative portraits.
—Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for figurative 
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Whether that site from Freedman shows up online before Monday’s hearing is TBD, but at the rate the figurative grenades have been chucked in this ever expanding saga, don’t discount it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
So, accept it, put down the figurative pitchforks and take a seat for a TED Talk from your old pal Scott, a distinguished scholar in the field of Iowa pessimistic studies.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
In his time, Arcimboldo turned vegetables and fruits into figurative portraits.
—Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 5 Dec. 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 20 Feb. 2025.
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