Synonyms for symbol

Grammar : Noun

Spell : sim-buh l

Phonetic Transcription : ˈsɪm bəl

Top 10 synonyms for symbol

Other synonyms for the word symbol

Définition of symbol

Origin : early 15c., "creed, summary, religious belief," from Late Latin symbolum "creed, token, mark," from Greek symbolon "token, watchword" (applied c.250 by Cyprian of Carthage to the Apostles' Creed, on the notion of the "mark" that distinguishes Christians from pagans), literally "that which is thrown or cast together," from syn- "together" (see syn-) + bole "a throwing, a casting, the stroke of a missile, bolt, beam," from bol-, nominative stem of ballein "to throw" (see ballistics).
The sense evolution in Greek is from "throwing things together" to "contrasting" to "comparing" to "token used in comparisons to determine if something is genuine." Hence, "outward sign" of something. The meaning "something which stands for something else" first recorded 1590 (in "Faerie Queene").

noun letter, character, sign of written communication

Example sentences :

Here, perchance, may be found a clue in symbol to the family strife.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

He wished to be dressed completely in white, as a symbol of his innocence.
Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various

From the symbol of her degradation, she looked to the man whose action had placed it there.
Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

But was the "star and crescent" the symbol of the City of Constantine?
Extract from : « The Non-Christian Cross » by John Denham Parsons

After her departure, I remarked that the symbol was none of the most apt.
Extract from : « Chippings With A Chisel (From "Twice Told Tales") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Or take it as a symbol, since that may come to be one with the thing symbolized.
Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson

A king's staff of office, the sign and symbol of his authority.
Extract from : « The Devil's Dictionary » by Ambrose Bierce

The symbol of that influence was that ancient symbol of the humble and humorous—a donkey.
Extract from : « Alarms and Discursions » by G. K. Chesterton

It ceases to be heard as a symbol, and appears only as a sign.
Extract from : « A Dish Of Orts » by George MacDonald

Wealth, or its symbol, is a medium of translating the one into the other.
Extract from : « City of Endless Night » by Milo Hastings

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