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