variants also symbolical
as in representative
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 symbolic This shift was both practical and symbolic. —
Alexandria Mansfield, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Regional powers such as the Marathas and Sikhs asserted independence, reducing Mughal authority to a symbolic presence in Delhi. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026 The pope opened the journey in Algiers, where he was welcomed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, marking the first-ever papal visit to the country and underscoring the symbolic importance of engaging with predominantly Muslim nations. —Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026 Right now, too much of what’s coming out of Annapolis feels like dessert — symbolic, surface-level or politically convenient. —Brett Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Alexandria Mansfield, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Regional powers such as the Marathas and Sikhs asserted independence, reducing Mughal authority to a symbolic presence in Delhi. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026 The pope opened the journey in Algiers, where he was welcomed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, marking the first-ever papal visit to the country and underscoring the symbolic importance of engaging with predominantly Muslim nations. —Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026 Right now, too much of what’s coming out of Annapolis feels like dessert — symbolic, surface-level or politically convenient. —Brett Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symbolic
Adjective
-
Drive up the coast and enjoy this outpost of the Getty Museum, where the views of the Pacific are showstopping, and the Italian villa is so perfectly representative of California decadence.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
-
Not to replace representative government, but to inform it more honestly.— Brett Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her own work moves between evocative and representational — but there’s always a thread.— The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
-
This means that representational alignment may be a solvable problem and a step toward addressing broader alignment challenges.— Arryn Robbins, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That was on show for this goal against Barrow in November, which is emblematic of Bromley’s style.— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
-
Inspired from gas pipes, the Tubogas collection is emblematic of Bulgari’s savoir-faire.— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/symbolic. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
