ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Metaphorically

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Part of speech adverb

Quick meaning: Metaphorically is an adverb meaning (manner) In a metaphorical manner; not literally; by means of metaphor.

Meaning

(manner) In a metaphorical manner; not literally; by means of metaphor.

More Meanings

  1. (as a sentence adverb) Used to draw attention that what follows is a metaphor, not to be taken literally

Example Sentences

Metaphorically, he was crushed.
He conveyed his teachings metaphorically.
[…] as, for example, in the present case of throwing herself, metaphorically speaking, at Mr Casaubon's feet, and kissing his unfashionable shoe-ties as if he were a Protestant Pope.
Thinking more metaphorically, his American contemporary James Russell Lowell wrote: “It is not the insurrections of ignorance that are dangerous, but the revolts of intelligence.” Had he lived to the year 2021, he might have changed his mind.

Synonyms for metaphorically

Depending on context, synonyms include nonliterally.

Antonyms for metaphorically

Common opposites include literally.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include figuratively, symbolically, virtually, metaphrastically, nonliterally, metaphysically.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.