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2
as in outline
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface
we could gradually see the figure of a ship coming our way through the fog
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment will be guests at the White House dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sculpture
a small statue
painted wooden figures by untrained artists can be quite valuable on today's antiques market
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5
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7
as in diagram
something that visually explains or decorates a text
the layout editor could have done a better job of getting the figures on the same page as the specific portion of text that they are intended to illustrate
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8
as in price
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something
a number of the paintings at the auction sold at figures far higher than had been estimated
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9
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the ice sculpture at the banquet was in the figure of an eagle spreading its wings
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10
11
as in calculation
figures plural
the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value
a person with a good head for figures
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12
as in look
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
unshaven and dirty, he presents a sorry figure
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1
as in to decide
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
we figured that we had better arrive early at the concert in order to get good seats
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2
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
let's figure the juice in the pan to be about a cup and just add it to the mix
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3
as in to calculate
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the car dealer figured that our monthly car payment would be $357
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4
as in to think
to have as an opinion
the father figures that girls should have the same athletic opportunities as boys and supports his daughter's interest in soccer
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of figure
Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Ahead of its second season, Unrivaled announced that it is now valued at $340 million after closing its oversubscribed Series B investment round led by Bessemer Venture Partners — a massive figure for the young league and a reflection of the increasing momentum and interest in women’s sports.
—Alanis Thames, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Yet Life After Ambition offers no tidy conclusions; Niazi is telling her story in medias res, inviting readers to figure the whole mess out with her—and in this era of gentle-parenting TikToks and general advice oversaturation, that feels like a gift.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for figure
Noun
The book’s heroine, Catherine Morland, is an avid reader of the popular novels of the day, and has a specific fondness for Ann Radcliffe’s real-life 1794 best seller, The Mysteries of Udolpho, a tale of ghostly figures and hidden manuscripts.
—Verb
Other cities and states have figured this out.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for figure
Noun
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Still, Beshear also acknowledged the nine-digit elephant in the room.—
-
Edwards, who is 24 years and 156 days old, hit the five-digit mark with a 13-foot fadeaway jumper midway through the fourth quarter.—
Noun
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Cleaning the surrounding area, not just the stain, helps prevent outlines as the shoes dry.—
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One of my late friends, who was on the board of Intel, actually heard the outline of Jensen’s presentation and couldn’t believe how Andy railed against Jensen even as Jensen proved to be totally right and Andy totally wrong.—
Noun
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Noun
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Peter Brodsky, the mall’s chief executive, was a family friend and patron, with a Tobolowsky sculpture on the lawn of his residence.—
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The controversial sculpture that dominated public art conversations this summer is now standing tall over Broad Ripple.—
Noun
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And then there’s Alison’s Isabella Linton, who’s quite doll-like in her candy-pink gowns and bows?—
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Rose also enjoys playing with dolls, carefully giving each one its own name and unique personality.—
Noun
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The rest of the home features a similar color motif.—
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Playful yet structured, the manicure proves that a timeless motif can still feel fresh and fashion-forward.—
Noun
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No one is being ordered to give up bread, meat or the occasional indulgence, just as no one should treat a diagram as a rigid prescription.—
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The government's new food pyramid replaces the MyPlate diagram released under President Barack Obama, and emphasizes protein, full-fat dairy and vegetables.—
Noun
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In the runup to the 2025 Super Bowl, Fox had sold out its ads by August, a sign that advertisers were willing to pay a steep price for one of the last remaining monocultural events in America.—
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The company has not given a price range for the homes.—
Cite this Entry
“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figure. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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