figure of speech
noun phrase
: a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader or listener
Examples of figure of speech in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Survey participants also classified claims based on their viewpoints of fact versus opinion, literal language versus figures of speech, and knowledge versus reasoning.
—
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024
Among the struggles Rose Zhang had last summer after such an amazing start to her pro career was losing her putter.
Turns out that’s not a figure of speech.
—Doug Ferguson, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
Getting their hands on the asteroid material is a figure of speech, of course.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023
Reynolds went against the artistic conventions of the time by giving a physical, monstrous form to Shakespeare’s figure of speech.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Nov. 2023
The novel’s vitality comes from Alex’s voice, with its buoyancy and confidence, its slightly jangly English and wonky figures of speech.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2023
People with advancing dementia will no longer understand figures of speech like metaphors or idioms.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2023
Weinersmith has successfully captured the spirit of this timeless story, weaving in generous amounts of alliteration and his version of Old English kennings, a compound figure of speech that replaces a common noun with two or more words that make for a more figurative than literal description.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Apr. 2023
Even these little figures of speech can reflect how, in frustrating situations, you might be tempted to blame your nerves for acting up—or stress out about how to calm them down.
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 31 Mar. 2023
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024
Among the struggles Rose Zhang had last summer after such an amazing start to her pro career was losing her putter.
Turns out that’s not a figure of speech.
—Doug Ferguson, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
Getting their hands on the asteroid material is a figure of speech, of course.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023
Reynolds went against the artistic conventions of the time by giving a physical, monstrous form to Shakespeare’s figure of speech.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Nov. 2023
The novel’s vitality comes from Alex’s voice, with its buoyancy and confidence, its slightly jangly English and wonky figures of speech.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2023
People with advancing dementia will no longer understand figures of speech like metaphors or idioms.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2023
Weinersmith has successfully captured the spirit of this timeless story, weaving in generous amounts of alliteration and his version of Old English kennings, a compound figure of speech that replaces a common noun with two or more words that make for a more figurative than literal description.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Apr. 2023
Even these little figures of speech can reflect how, in frustrating situations, you might be tempted to blame your nerves for acting up—or stress out about how to calm them down.
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 31 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'figure of speech.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to figure of speech
Dictionary Entries Near figure of speech
Cite this Entry
“Figure of speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20of%20speech. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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