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
In many cases, the doctor's role is purely symbolic, with minimal direct involvement in each procedure due to high patient volume.
—
Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Rubio was one of several legislators China hit with largely symbolic countersanctions, including a , after the U.S. sanctioned Hong Kong officials involved in the crackdown on democracy in the special administrative region.
—Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
The order did not require any changes to federal programs and appeared to be largely symbolic.
—Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2025
Your film includes images of shadow and light that feel very symbolic.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Rubio was one of several legislators China hit with largely symbolic countersanctions, including a , after the U.S. sanctioned Hong Kong officials involved in the crackdown on democracy in the special administrative region.
—Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
The order did not require any changes to federal programs and appeared to be largely symbolic.
—Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2025
Your film includes images of shadow and light that feel very symbolic.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 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 17 Mar. 2025.
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