as in figurative
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another
"a candidate running for office" is just a figural expression
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Recent Examples of figural
Along with Claes Oldenburg and Ed Kienholz, Segal (1924-2000) was one of the principal figures to revitalize figural realism in the second half of the 20th century.
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John Wilmerding, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023
There's something majestic about abstract or figural stained glass, which lets light in and offers privacy as well as colorful expression.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 10 Jan. 2023
The back rest is decorated with a lion flanked by figural finials and the curved frame possesses oak leaves.
—Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Jan. 2023
As captured in the show—where portraits, narrative scenes and figure studies share space with just two landscapes—the collection was shaped by its owners’ personal preference for figural imagery.
—Mary Tompkins Lewis, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for figural 
John Wilmerding, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023
There's something majestic about abstract or figural stained glass, which lets light in and offers privacy as well as colorful expression.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 10 Jan. 2023
The back rest is decorated with a lion flanked by figural finials and the curved frame possesses oak leaves.
—Rodney Ho, ajc, 18 Jan. 2023
As captured in the show—where portraits, narrative scenes and figure studies share space with just two landscapes—the collection was shaped by its owners’ personal preference for figural imagery.
—Mary Tompkins Lewis, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for figural
Thesaurus Entries Near figural
Cite this Entry
“Figural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figural. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
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