figure of speech
noun phrase
: a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader or listener
Examples of figure of speech in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Amplifying with Hyperbole Ever used a figure of speech to emphasize a point?
—
Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The internet didn’t exist, the tweet and blog post were not yet known as forms or figures of speech.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024
This is not a figure of speech—literally in three days.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024
In baseball parlance, that phrase is typically a figure of speech.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2024
Word choice, meaning, syntax, metaphors, grammar, gender, figures of speech, causality and context all influence our perception of the world.
—Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 29 Feb. 2024
That’s not a figure of speech but a literal description of the situation Neglia inherited.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024
Survey participants also classified claims based on their viewpoints of fact versus opinion, literal language versus figures of speech, and knowledge versus reasoning.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024
Among the struggles Rose Zhang had last summer after such an amazing start to her pro career was losing her putter.
Turns out that’s not a figure of speech.
—Doug Ferguson, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The internet didn’t exist, the tweet and blog post were not yet known as forms or figures of speech.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024
This is not a figure of speech—literally in three days.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024
In baseball parlance, that phrase is typically a figure of speech.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2024
Word choice, meaning, syntax, metaphors, grammar, gender, figures of speech, causality and context all influence our perception of the world.
—Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 29 Feb. 2024
That’s not a figure of speech but a literal description of the situation Neglia inherited.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024
Survey participants also classified claims based on their viewpoints of fact versus opinion, literal language versus figures of speech, and knowledge versus reasoning.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024
Among the struggles Rose Zhang had last summer after such an amazing start to her pro career was losing her putter.
Turns out that’s not a figure of speech.
—Doug Ferguson, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'figure of speech.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Figure of speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20of%20speech. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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