metaphorically
In symbolic terms
Metaphorically describes speaking or writing in terms of something else to illuminate meaning rather than stating it directly.
If someone says metaphorically speaking, life is a journey, they're using comparison to convey experience, not claiming literal travel.
The word often signals that what follows shouldn't be taken at face value: I could metaphorically kill him means intense frustration, not homicidal intent.
Comparison via "as"
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
hyperbole · metonymy · synecdoche · euphemism · understatement · irony · comparison · likening
Musically expressive
- evocativeTending to summon memories
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- verseMetered poetic passage
- rhapsodyEffusive musical composition
eloquence · cadence · diction · vivid · expressive · painterly · atmospheric · impressionistic
Indirect suggestion or consequence
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- intimationIndirect indication of something
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
undertone · hint · overtone · nuance · allusion · connotation · resonance · echo
simile
Comparison via "as"
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
personification · hyperbole · metonymy · synecdoche · euphemism · understatement · irony · comparison · likening · parallel
lyrical
Musically expressive
rhapsody · eloquence · cadence · diction · vivid · expressive · painterly · atmospheric · impressionistic · dreamlike
implication
Indirect suggestion or consequence
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- intimationIndirect indication of something
subtext · undertone · hint · overtone · nuance · allusion · connotation · resonance · echo · undercurrent
emblem
Representational sign or device
representation · manifestation · epitomize · typify · personify · microcosm · macrocosm · stand-in · proxy · avatar
abstract
Condensed version of text
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- notionImprecise mental impression
- frameworkUnderlying support system
construct · paradigm · model · schema · lens · prism · filter · perspective · vantage · angle
metaphoricallyliterally
In exact terms
word for word · actually · in fact · in reality · strictly speaking
metaphoricallyplainly
In obvious fashion
directly · straightforwardly · bluntly · explicitly · unambiguously
metaphoricallyexactly
With total accuracy
precisely · faithfully · accurately · plainly · directly
- metaphorical languageWords used non-literally
- metaphorical speechLanguage using symbolic comparison
- metaphorical meaningNon-literal significance of expression