Symbolize

//ˈsɪmbəlaɪz// verb

verb ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To be symbolic of; to represent. transitive

    "Doves often symbolize peace."

  2. 2
    express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol wordnet
  3. 3
    To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically. intransitive, transitive
  4. 4
    represent or identify by using a symbol; use symbols wordnet
  5. 5
    To resemble each other in qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize. intransitive, obsolete

    "The pleasing of colour symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with harmony."

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  1. 6
    To hold the same faith; to agree. intransitive, obsolete

    "The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized with the performers of them."

Synonyms

All synonyms
representtypifyadumbrateadvert toallude toargue

Example

More examples

"Oranges signify a happy love while lemons symbolize an unrequited one."

Etymology

From Middle French symboliser.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.