tropical

adjective

ˈträ-pi-kəl How to pronounce tropical (audio)
Definition of tropicalnext
1
as in subtropical
being near the equator wanted to escape winter and visit some tropical location where freezing to death would not be a possibility

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in metaphoric
expressing one thing in terms normally used for another an author given to high-flown tropical phrasings and convoluted symbology

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tropical El Niño weakens the tropical trade winds, influencing the jet stream — the high-altitude river of air that helps steer storms, fronts, and areas of high and low pressure across the country. — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Hilary Duff's tropical girls getaway has brought an old Hollywood friendship controversy back into the spotlight. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Chocolate moelleux and tropical sorbet, both elevated with a flavoured crumble (cardamom and lime, respectively) finished off the meal with a satisfying hit of sweetness. — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 Hacking palm trees In blazing midday tropical heat, Katie Baur saws the trunk of a young coconut palm. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tropical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tropical
  1. subtropical
  2. metaphoric
  3. equatorial
  4. figurative
  5. figural
  6. symbolic
Adjective
  • The plant has been introduced to the tropical and subtropical climatic regions of Australia and North and South America.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The warmer waters often invite tropical and subtropical species.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtropical
Adjective
  • For Wolf, frolicking in mud is both literal and metaphorical.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Thus, FRBs are a metaphorical cosmic 'fossil record' blasting through space at light speed with the energy of a multitude of stars.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of metaphoric
Adjective
  • Such a process, which would be similar to the formation of Earth's moon, could explain their circular, equatorial orbits.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The primary driver of the forecast is a powerful El Niño event anchored across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
    — Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of equatorial
Adjective
  • Viewers can ponder Dunham’s dramatic stylistic shift from abstract forms to cartoonish figurative images through the exhibition’s 50 career-spanning works.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • These combine interior and exterior figurative imagery from the tropical foliage and vibrant cityscapes around her, but can appear torn and fragmented.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of figurative
Adjective
  • Bernard, the fabricator of phrases, is the book’s second devotee of metaphor, therefore also the first to beguile the others with the potential and pitfalls of figural language.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • From figural bakers to upgraded pans, the new collection takes fall baking to a whole other level.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of figural
Adjective
  • Moncler was founded in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, and the mountains are not only the brand’s physical birthplace, but are also symbolic of its goal to aim higher, Ruffini has often said.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • To celebrate its centennial this year, the symbolic starting point of Route 66 was extended north and east to Navy Pier.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

tropic
tropical
tropological
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Cite this Entry

“Tropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tropical. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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