1. in a manner that uses or involves figures of speech; metaphorically or symbolically rather than literally
Usage: formal; often used in literary or rhetorical contexts

Examples

• The poet spoke figurally about love as a journey through darkness.
• When she said her heart was breaking, she meant it figurally, not literally.
• The author uses the storm figurally to represent the character's inner turmoil.
• He described the economy figurally as a ship navigating rough seas.
• The painting interprets the biblical story figurally rather than as a historical account.