metaphorical

[ met-uh-fawr-i-kuhl, -for- ]

adjective

1. involving, invoking, or intended to be taken as a metaphor, something used symbolically to represent something else, suggesting a comparison or resemblance:

   Our foreign policy blunder has given the insurgents a metaphorical green light to engage in violent tactics in pursuit of their imperial ambitions.

Other Words From

• met·a·phor·i·cal·ly adverb
• met·a·phor·i·cal·ness noun
• hy·per·met·a·phor·ic hy·per·met·a·phor·i·cal adjective
• non·met·a·phor·ic non·met·a·phor·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·met·a·phor·ic sem·i·met·a·phor·i·cal adjective
• sub·met·a·phor·ic sub·met·a·phor·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphorical¹

First recorded in 1560–70; metaphor ( def ) + -ical ( def )

Example Sentences

Usually, she adds, such roles also result in a metaphorical bloodbath involving dozens of actors.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a police procedural, a metaphorical family comedy, a workplace comedy, a soap opera, a melodrama, a low-budget action adventure.

From Los Angeles Times

Mel’s also broke, has an aversion to commitment, and in a relatable and metaphorical twist, is gripped by aerophobia.

From Salon

But he was being metaphorical, commenting on the swoony gossip of Hollywood stars’ supposed romances: “I heard more sweet love stories in three weeks than I had in New York in thirty years … the whole place stank of orange blossoms.”

From Los Angeles Times

Certainly, there is a metaphorical nature to the imagery, requiring a suspension of disbelief even if everything doesn’t quite tie together in the end.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allegorical
• descriptive
• metaphoric
• symbolic