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
The family bond isn’t just a figure of speech, either.
—
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Officials at several national security agencies were told not to take Trump’s remarks about the designation literally and they should be treated as a figure of speech, according to a U.S. official involved in the discussions.
—David Klepper, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
Well, yes, that's definitely true… but this isn't just a figure of speech, because the Grammy-winning singer's nails are actually ablaze!
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Oct. 2025
With Wilson’s familiarity with the troops, Uncle Sam became a friendly figure of speech to describe the U.S. government.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
And in Top Fuel, that’s not just a figure of speech.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Each puzzle showcases her particular gift for playing on figures of speech with a specificity that’s both dad jokey and incredibly smart.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Just as the prison (in figures of speech, fact, and fiction) points us to a contemporary language of slavery’s afterlife, Juneteenth invites us to read emancipation more critically and celebrate the political conviction such a reeducation demands.
—Jordan Taliha McDonald, Vulture, 19 June 2024
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Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Officials at several national security agencies were told not to take Trump’s remarks about the designation literally and they should be treated as a figure of speech, according to a U.S. official involved in the discussions.
—David Klepper, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
Well, yes, that's definitely true… but this isn't just a figure of speech, because the Grammy-winning singer's nails are actually ablaze!
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Oct. 2025
With Wilson’s familiarity with the troops, Uncle Sam became a friendly figure of speech to describe the U.S. government.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
And in Top Fuel, that’s not just a figure of speech.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Each puzzle showcases her particular gift for playing on figures of speech with a specificity that’s both dad jokey and incredibly smart.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Just as the prison (in figures of speech, fact, and fiction) points us to a contemporary language of slavery’s afterlife, Juneteenth invites us to read emancipation more critically and celebrate the political conviction such a reeducation demands.
—Jordan Taliha McDonald, Vulture, 19 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Figure of speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20of%20speech. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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