variants
also symbolical
as in representational
having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else
the butterfly in the poem is symbolic of the impermanence of youth
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Recent Examples of symbolic
Searching for meaning in Kendrick’s imagery can feel vexing when the meaning is more symbolic than overt.
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Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2025
Even so, such journalism may be seen as a step – albeit a small, symbolic one – toward holding individuals, governments, social groups and other enablers accountable for violations of a fundamental human right.
—Eric Freedman, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2025
The production gets a little corny and theatrical at times (an important prop item at the end of the play doesn’t look very real, making its impact more symbolic than visceral).
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
However, the photo could also be interpreted as the rat being symbolic of Rick Ross, who previously came under fire for working as a correctional officer prior to his rap career.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2025
Even so, such journalism may be seen as a step – albeit a small, symbolic one – toward holding individuals, governments, social groups and other enablers accountable for violations of a fundamental human right.
—Eric Freedman, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2025
The production gets a little corny and theatrical at times (an important prop item at the end of the play doesn’t look very real, making its impact more symbolic than visceral).
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
However, the photo could also be interpreted as the rat being symbolic of Rick Ross, who previously came under fire for working as a correctional officer prior to his rap career.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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