Antonyms for figurative

Grammar : Adj

Spell : fig-yer-uh-tiv

Phonetic Transcription : ˈfɪg yər ə tɪv

Definition of figurative

Origin : late 14c., from Old French figuratif "metaphorical," from Late Latin figurativus, from figurat-, past participle stem of figurare "to form, shape," from figura "a shape, form, figure" (see figure (n.)). Of speech, language, etc., "involving figures of speech," from 1845. Related: Figuratively.

adj not literal, but symbolic

Example sentences :

But these miscellaneous and figurative forces are not what we are considering.
Extract from : « Life: Its True Genesis » by R. W. Wright

Plato's account of the soul is partly mythical or figurative, and partly literal.
Extract from : « Timaeus » by Plato

With this figurative expression Mattha settled himself for the drive.
Extract from : « The Shadow of a Crime » by Hall Caine

He clung hard to one—Powell says, with no figurative intention.
Extract from : « Chance » by Joseph Conrad

It was no figurative expression to say that he kept open house.
Extract from : « Jack Hinton » by Charles James Lever

It was with me in a figurative—which was worse than actual—sense all the day.
Extract from : « The Lock And Key Library » by Various

The reason which he gave for this was figurative and Indian-like.
Extract from : « Stories of New Jersey » by Frank Richard Stockton

It has two meanings, the one usual and obvious, the other figurative.
Extract from : « Jewish Literature and Other Essays » by Gustav Karpeles

But we must not forget that all these expressions of God's attributes are figurative.
Extract from : « A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy » by Isaac Husik

Mr. Lincoln was figurative in his speech, talks and conversation.
Extract from : « Our American Holidays: Lincoln's Birthday » by Various

Synonyms for figurative

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019