1. in a figurative or metaphorical manner; not literally
Usage: formal or literary; often used to clarify that a statement is metaphorical rather than factual

Examples

• She figuredly described the project as a sinking ship.
• He spoke figuredly about the burden of responsibility weighing on his shoulders.
• The poet figuredly painted the sunset as a dying fire.
• When he said the meeting was a circus, he meant it figuredly, not literally.
• The author figuredly compared her journey to climbing a mountain.