figurativelyadverb
uk/ˈfɪɡ.ər.ə.tɪv.li/us/ˈfɪɡ.jɚ.ə.tɪv/in a way that uses words and phrases with a more imaginative meaning than usual:
Figuratively speaking, it was a blow right between the eyes (= it was a bad shock).
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Figurative use of language
- a metaphor for sth idiom
- allegory
- allusion
- anthropomorphism
- as
- as it were idiom
- fig
- figurative
- figure of speech
- imagery
- ironic
- irony
- metaphor
- metaphorical
- metonymy
- mix
- mixed metaphor
- pathetic fallacy
- speak
- symbol
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