variants
or metaphorical
as in figurative
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
an author fond of such metaphorical phrases as "the desert was a fiery furnace"
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Recent Examples of metaphoric
The process of securing the proper locations for a project is a metaphorical game of 3D chess in which the artistic vision of its creative team wages a strategic battle with logistical necessities and economic realities.
—
Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
In addition to his trio of Primetime Emmys, Obama's already substantial metaphorical trophy shelf includes two Children's and Family Emmy gongs, two Grammy awards, and a Nobel Peace Prize.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
This film is here to praise him and, regrettably, bury him, just not in a metaphorical sense.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Most often it’s considered an evil spirit that preys upon and possesses those who become lost in a literal or metaphorical sense.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
In the investment world, we’re taught not to catch the metaphorical falling knife, or to invest when a business or an asset is losing its value.
—Vilius Kavaliauskas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But what if a woman grows up not in a metaphorical cult but in a real one?
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Being in the inner circle, however, comes with its own metaphorical body count.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
The celebration is not just metaphorical.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025
Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
In addition to his trio of Primetime Emmys, Obama's already substantial metaphorical trophy shelf includes two Children's and Family Emmy gongs, two Grammy awards, and a Nobel Peace Prize.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
This film is here to praise him and, regrettably, bury him, just not in a metaphorical sense.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Most often it’s considered an evil spirit that preys upon and possesses those who become lost in a literal or metaphorical sense.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
In the investment world, we’re taught not to catch the metaphorical falling knife, or to invest when a business or an asset is losing its value.
—Vilius Kavaliauskas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But what if a woman grows up not in a metaphorical cult but in a real one?
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Being in the inner circle, however, comes with its own metaphorical body count.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
The celebration is not just metaphorical.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphoric
Adjective
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Hush was met with generally favorable reviews at the time of its release, and employs similar stakes (both literal and figurative) as seen in Scream.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
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Taking inspiration from 16th-century outdoor sculpture courtyards, this (indoor) exhibition explores the range of figurative human sculptures in the Walker’s collection.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The figural birds are crafted in platinum and 18-karat gold with gemstones — appearing to perch upon the wearer.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
2 Sep. 2025
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As we are never returned to any figural baseline, our eyes are increasingly ungrounded.—
Jan Tumlir,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Metaphoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphoric. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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