1
2
as in outline
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface
we could gradually see the figure of a ship coming our way through the fog
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment will be guests at the White House dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in doll
a small statue
painted wooden figures by untrained artists can be quite valuable on today's antiques market
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
7
as in diagram
something that visually explains or decorates a text
the layout editor could have done a better job of getting the figures on the same page as the specific portion of text that they are intended to illustrate
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in price
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something
a number of the paintings at the auction sold at figures far higher than had been estimated
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the ice sculpture at the banquet was in the figure of an eagle spreading its wings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
11
as in calculation
figures plural
the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value
a person with a good head for figures
Synonyms & Similar Words
12
as in look
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
unshaven and dirty, he presents a sorry figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to decide
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
we figured that we had better arrive early at the concert in order to get good seats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
let's figure the juice in the pan to be about a cup and just add it to the mix
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to calculate
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the car dealer figured that our monthly car payment would be $357
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to think
to have as an opinion
the father figures that girls should have the same athletic opportunities as boys and supports his daughter's interest in soccer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of figure
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025
Others, like his irascible Celebrity Jeopardy standout Sean Connery, are the uncanny product of masterful tinkering, with Hammond eventually stretching the real and the perceived into a shape as recognizable as the actual figure himself.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
The three-year projection is an indicator of an improved relationship, as the league and union typically only release salary cap figures one season at a time.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for figure 
Noun
All figures are seasonally adjusted but do not factor in inflation.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025
Others, like his irascible Celebrity Jeopardy standout Sean Connery, are the uncanny product of masterful tinkering, with Hammond eventually stretching the real and the perceived into a shape as recognizable as the actual figure himself.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
Instead, Vargas leaves us with the sense that the world will keep spinning as the young couple tries to figure things out.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
The three-year projection is an indicator of an improved relationship, as the league and union typically only release salary cap figures one season at a time.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figure
Noun
-
This is a pitcher whose fastball has been clocked in the triple digits and who, at 20, threw a 19-strikeout perfect game (and backed it up with eight perfect innings and 14 Ks the next time out).—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The last four digits of her cellphone number are her badge number: 7940.—
Shelly Bradbury,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
His executive orders signed this week outline a sweeping agenda, from declaring an invasion at the border to ending birthright citizenship.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Simon planned the cabin, drawing the outline for the walls with a stick in the dirt.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Other celebrities seen inside the Superdome ahead of kickoff include Kevin Costner, Pete Davidson, Miles Teller, soccer star Lionel Messi and Druski.—
Carly Thomas,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Feb. 2025
-
But the song’s impact was so immediate and undeniable, based on its more than one billion streams and consistent chart placement, that even the Grammys, music outlets and celebrities who have previously been friendly with Drake celebrated it.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Disneyland kicks off Black History Month with gospel music and soul food The Sakura line includes fuzzy and furry plush dolls of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Stitch and Baymax ($35 to $45) and smaller keychain dolls ($15).—
Brady MacDonald,
Orange County Register,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The new and old versions of the classic Barbie dolls are on display at Mattel Design Center in El Segundo, California, U.S., February 22, 2024.—
Melissa Repko,Gabrielle Fonrouge,Michael Wayland,Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Black mannequins, outfitted in de Vilmorin’s collection, gleamed atop red marble tables.—
Ian Malone,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Bay Area designers created 16 mannequin displays that explore different aspects of Lunar New Year traditions from red envelopes and gold coins to dragon dances and big family dinners.—
Sal Pizarro,
The Mercury News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The inseam detailing and design also included the phrase motif, adding a personal touch to Hurts’ overall look for the biggest game of his career.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Compared to the head-balloon motif, this one feels a little more plausible within the universe of Severance.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
At age 90, the University of Chicago emeritus professor stood demurely before an audience of local teachers, plumbers, children and housewives explaining complex diagrams and math equations on an overhead projector.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Lundgren noted a striking similarity between the abstract geometric shapes in af Klint's work and scientific diagrams in 19th century physicist Thomas Young's Lectures (1807).—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Investors paid the price when the casino enterprise went bankrupt another two times in the 2000s.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
-
For this season, the Rays will be playing their home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, where I’m told, the season and group sales tickets are nearly all sold out despite the Rays doubling the price.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near figure
Cite this Entry
“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figure. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share