Not literal
Symbolic and not literal are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Symbolic" instead an adjective phrase "Not literal".
Symbolic
Symbolic adjective - Having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else.
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Synonyms for Symbolic
Not literal and symbolic are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Not literal" instead an adjective "Symbolic".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- flowery and not literal
- flowery and symbolic
- typical and not literal
- typical and symbolic
- representative and not literal
- representative and symbolic
- figurative and not literal
- figurative and symbolic
- illustrative and not literal
- illustrative and symbolic
- abstract and not literal
- abstract and symbolic
- pictorial and not literal
- pictorial and symbolic
Both terms in one sentence
- The "lake of fire and sulfur" is not literal, but instead figurative or symbolic.
- Not literal marriage to a Physical God, that is, but a symbolic marriage to a less-tangible deity, who may or may not be real.
Source: Marriage to a God
Cite this Source
Symbolic and Not literal. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/not_literal/symbolic
Not literal & Symbolic. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/not_literal/symbolic>.
Symbolic or Not literal. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/not_literal/symbolic.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "not literal" and "symbolic" have occurred on timeline