symbolic
adjective
sym·bol·ic
sim-ˈbä-lik 
variants
or less commonly symbolical
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a symbol
3
: characterized by or terminating in symbols
symbolic thinking
4
: characterized by symbolism
a symbolic dance
Examples of symbolic in a Sentence
The lighting of the candles is symbolic.
The sharing of the wine has symbolic meaning.
Recent Examples on the Web
There's a gallery wall with pieces that are symbolic of some sort of lyric.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 19 July 2025
In December 1950, four Scottish college students snatched the stone from Westminster Abbey as a symbolic show of support for Scottish independence.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025
Her election would also carry symbolic weight as Grijalva would be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Now, 249 years later, we are being asked to sacrifice working families’ health care, immigrant dignity, and the survival of rural America, all to meet an arbitrary deadline set by a president chasing a hallow, symbolic victory.
—Jared Nordlund, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
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Bryan West, USA Today, 19 July 2025
In December 1950, four Scottish college students snatched the stone from Westminster Abbey as a symbolic show of support for Scottish independence.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025
Her election would also carry symbolic weight as Grijalva would be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Now, 249 years later, we are being asked to sacrifice working families’ health care, immigrant dignity, and the survival of rural America, all to meet an arbitrary deadline set by a president chasing a hallow, symbolic victory.
—Jared Nordlund, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symbolic
adjective
sym·bol·ic
sim-ˈbäl-ik
variants
also symbolical
1
: of, relating to, or using symbols or symbolism
a symbolic meaning
symbolic art
2
: having the function or meaning of a symbol
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