symbolize

[ sim-buh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, sym·bol·ized, sym·bol·iz·ing.

1. to be a symbol of; stand for or represent in the manner of a symbol.
2. to represent by a symbol or symbols.
3. to regard or treat as symbolic.

verb (used without object)

, sym·bol·ized, sym·bol·iz·ing.

1. to use symbols.

symbolize

/ ˈsɪmbəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to serve as or be a symbol of
2. trusually foll byby to represent by a symbol or symbols
3. intr to use symbols
4. tr to treat or regard as symbolic or figurative

Derived Forms

• ˌsymboliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• re·symbol·ize verb resymbolized resymbolizing
• un·symbol·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of symbolize¹

From the New Latin word symbolizāre, dating back to 1580–90. See symbol, -ize

Example Sentences

But for some teens ISIS seems to symbolize power and purpose, a great drama promising deliverance from the humdrum.

From The Daily Beast

So it was something that would symbolize some tranquility, peace—anything that would give it a good energy.

From The Daily Beast

She seems, if anything, to symbolize an even more incremental progressivism than President Obama.

From The Daily Beast

The practice, which emerged during the eighth century, was meant to symbolize wealth and class.

From The Daily Beast

Colorful inflated onion domes appeared to symbolize the birth of urbanization.

From The Daily Beast

The wall showed no further trace of damp, and the new chauffeur's bent back seemed to symbolize an extreme conscientiousness.

From Project Gutenberg

A silence fell upon the room, a silence that seemed to symbolize the "biffing" of the doctor's son by old French.

From Project Gutenberg

It has also been held to symbolize light or the god of light, of the forked lightning, and of water.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in the form of a scythe to symbolize Time, the pendulum being a bunch of arrows to suggest the flight of the minutes.

From Project Gutenberg

He instructed him to take a long stick, to one end of which he must secure a sharp point, to symbolize the bear's tusks.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• embody
• epitomize
• exemplify
• illustrate
• indicate
• mean
• mirror
• personify
• signify
• suggest
• typify