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
Breadon’s objection blocked a vote on the matter and automatically sent the resolution, which is not legally binding and thus symbolic in nature, to a Council committee for a potential hearing.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
The Space Shuttle’s influence today is far more than just symbolic.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
The effect of this will be mostly symbolic — whether he’s convicted or not, Misch stands a better chance of escaping from prison than being granted parole before his natural death.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
Laurent was ordered to pay a symbolic franc to each of the five associations that sued, including Bamba’s Human Rights League, and 4,000 francs (about 1,000 euros today) in damages to cover their legal costs.
—Christopher Clark, The Dial, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
The Space Shuttle’s influence today is far more than just symbolic.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
The effect of this will be mostly symbolic — whether he’s convicted or not, Misch stands a better chance of escaping from prison than being granted parole before his natural death.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
Laurent was ordered to pay a symbolic franc to each of the five associations that sued, including Bamba’s Human Rights League, and 4,000 francs (about 1,000 euros today) in damages to cover their legal costs.
—Christopher Clark, The Dial, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
representative
Adjective
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In this case, the study was limited to a single incel forum, which might not be broadly representative of similar discussions on other platforms.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
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While onshore producers of oil and gas have many similar operational and economic traits, such as the shrinking inventory of top tier wells, this decoupling is representative of a fundamentally different outlook for the future of each commodity.—
Bryce Erickson,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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