symbolic
[adjective]
Synonyms: representative, allegorical, emblematic, figurative

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

sym‧bol‧ic AC /sɪmˈbɒlɪk $ -ˈbɑː-/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: symbol, symbolism; verb: symbolize; adverb: symbolically; adjective: symbolic]
[Word Family: noun: symbol, symbolism; verb: symbolize; adverb: symbolically; adjective: symbolic]

1. a symbolic action is important because of what it represents but may not have any real effect
symbolic gesture/act
The protest was a symbolic gesture of anger at official policy.
symbolic significance/importance
a meeting of symbolic importance
purely/largely symbolic
It was a largely symbolic gesture from a government trying to win support.

2. representing a particular idea or quality:
Each element of the ceremony has a symbolic meaning.
symbolic of
Today’s fighting is symbolic of the chaos which the country is facing.

3. using or involving symbols:
A map is a form of symbolic representation.
—symbolically /-kli/ adverb

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

symbolic
adj.
VERBS be, seem | become The case became symbolic of US racial tension.
regard sth as, see sth as His refusal to accept the honour was seen as highly symbolic.
ADV. deeply, heavily, highly, very This is a gruesome and heavily symbolic tale.
purely The role of monarch is a purely symbolic one.
largely, mainly | somehow
PREP. of These two objects are symbolic of life and death.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

symbolic

a symbolic gesture
They fired arrows out to sea in a symbolic gesture of defiance.
a symbolic act
Lighting the Olympic flame is a symbolic act.
symbolic importance/significance
The capture of the city was of great symbolic importance.
largely symbolic
The vote was largely symbolic.
purely symbolic
Our protest was meant to be purely symbolic.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲