Figuratively means in a way that is not literal. When you say that someone is acting like a madman, you're not actually describing them as being crazy. You're using the word figuratively to mean that they're behaving in a way that is not normal.
He was acting like a madman when he stormed out of the meeting.
The boat was so damaged that it was impossible to sail it back to the harbor, and the crew was starting to feel like they were going crazy.
ADV
in a figurative sense
1
I was just speaking in the figurative.
2
She is, figuratively speaking, burning the stake.
3
Has anyone figured out the cryptogram that Haley is speaking in
4
Yet, he also speaks approvingly of major scientific figures like Isaac Newton.
5
It gives the methodology and figures that are used to extrapolate the figures.
6
The larger of the figures is the Boa Island bilateral figure.
7
He developed a flair for public speaking, which made him a sought after figure on the national lecture circuit.
8
Literal is the opposite of figurative.
9
His figure was paunchy.
10
Currently is the figure of the team.