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 sculpture
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
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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.
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Recent Examples of figure
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
His portrait, stern and majestic, hangs broodingly over the stairs; elsewhere on the walls, the art ranges from the Baroque to the bro-tinged, with turbaned figures sharing space with Ryu from Street Fighter.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
The bullpen figured to have its challenges, especially with All-Star Randy Rodríguez out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Noun
The figures don't include properties within incorporated cities’ limits.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
His portrait, stern and majestic, hangs broodingly over the stairs; elsewhere on the walls, the art ranges from the Baroque to the bro-tinged, with turbaned figures sharing space with Ryu from Street Fighter.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Verb
Henry figures to get a home game.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
The bullpen figured to have its challenges, especially with All-Star Randy Rodríguez out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figure
Noun
-
However, first-time voters who registered by mail without providing a driver license number, state ID or the last four digits of their Social Security number might be required to show identification.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
Offense was hard to come by, though — neither side cracked triple-digit scoring, and the series closeout was a 78-77 grinder.—
Esfandiar Baraheni,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
So ignore the full outline and focus instead on the Keystone — a neat, four-star rectangle high in the southeastern sky on June evenings.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
6 June 2026
-
Soon, the outline of the Milky Way could be seen by the naked eye.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
In Packers country, celebrity doesn’t trump tradition.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
There is a lot of tequila out there to choose from, and some brands—shockingly—don’t even have a celebrity, actor, or athlete backing them.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Elder’s sculpture was sitting outside of Bee Hive KC over Memorial Day Weekend when a man who was visibly angry allegedly began vandalizing the honeybee, according to Elder.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
The show felt less like a natural history display than a contemporary art exhibition, complete with careful lighting, minimalist staging, a massive crowd on opening day, and the unmistakable suggestion that a dinosaur skeleton might belong beside blue-chip sculpture.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The maker of Hot Wheels, American Girl and Uno has recently confronted a challenging market for toys, beset by tariffs on goods produced overseas and weaker-than-expected demand for Barbie dolls and Fisher-Price preschool products.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Again, Lopez drew inspiration from the 2000s with a frosty lavender eyeshadow framed with dramatic black doll-like lashes.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The hypnotic motifs and stylized figures in these collections lit a fuse for Nilsson and her peers, seeding a fascination with non-Western art that has continued throughout her career.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Although the hotel is Japanese inspired, the Peninsula Tokyo incorporates many pan-Asian elements—gilt finishes, flower petal motifs on the carpets, and cherry wood panelling, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Instead of piecing together diagrams manually, Visio gives you access to thousands of templates and over 250,000 shapes to map out everything from simple flowcharts to complex network diagrams.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
-
McGhee remembers his first dictionary at 3 years old and the diagram of a pyramid on page 1,607.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Those who are not as loyal to the brand may find the price a bit steep compared to other luxury options in the area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
The cost of an autograph for each celebrity guest varies in price.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figure. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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