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View synonyms for symbolic

symbolic

[ sim-bol-ik ]

adjective

  1. serving as a symbol of something (often followed by of ).
  2. of, relating to, or expressed by a symbol.
  3. characterized by or involving the use of symbols:

    a highly symbolic poem.

  4. (in semantics, especially formerly) pertaining to a class of words that express only relations. Compare notional ( def 7 ).
  5. Computers. expressed in characters, usually nonnumeric, that require translation before they can be used ( absolute ).


symbolic

/ sɪmˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a symbol or symbols
  2. serving as a symbol
  3. characterized by the use of symbols or symbolism


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Derived Forms

  • symˈbolicalness, noun
  • symˈbolically, adverb

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Other Words From

  • sym·boli·cal·ly adverb
  • sym·boli·cal·ness noun
  • nonsym·bolic adjective
  • nonsym·boli·cal adjective
  • nonsym·boli·cal·ly adverb
  • nonsym·boli·cal·ness noun
  • unsym·bolic adjective
  • unsym·boli·cal adjective
  • unsym·boli·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of symbolic1

First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin symbolicus, from Greek symbolikós; symbol, -ic

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Example Sentences

Bridging the divide between the police and those who distrust them will take more than protests and symbolic gestures.

Your death is symbolic of the harsh reality facing so many of us.

Along the way, he accidentally embeds a nail in his foot, which is not symbolic at all.

But the amendment was non-binding -- and thus largely symbolic.

She lost that claim long ago, but her symbolic importance has only grown.

In like manner the mouth, from being a bare symbolic indication, gradually takes on form and likeness.

This element of symbolic indication will be found to run through the whole of childish drawing.

The celebrant sprinkled the victim with wine and salted cake, and made a symbolic gesture with the knife.

Because of its recumbent position, symbolic of General Lee resting on a battlefield cot, this statue is considered most unique.

If she was no longer a symbolic and sympathetic figure—like that young mother among her children—she had her own claims.

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