Synonyms for figurative
- adjective
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Metaphorical — of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures
metaphorical, allegorical, metaphoric, symbolic, symbolical, emblematic, typical, representative, tropic, tropical dated
Other
figural, representational, allusive, parabolic, extended, nonliteral
Definitions
- adj. 1
Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.
- adj. 2
Metaphorically so called.
Related words
- Word family
- figuratively figure
Example sentences
- symbolic The Japanese emperor is a merely symbolic figure.
- metaphorical Poetry is the expression of truth in metaphorical language.
- allegorical It's a very allegorical description.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| figurative | rising | |
| symbolic | rising | |
| metaphorical | rising | |
| allegorical | rising | |
| metaphoric | rising | |
| representational | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- ornate2, tropic2, florid2
- 7 letters
- typical3, flowery3, figural
- 8 letters
- extended3, tropical3, symbolic3, allusive3
- 9 letters
- parabolic4
- 10 letters
- emblematic4, metaphoric, symbolical, nonliteral
- 11 letters
- allegorical5
- 12 letters
- metaphorical5
- 14 letters
- representative5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (ornate2 = 2 syllables).