as in allegory
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
the parable in which the repentant sinner is compared to the returning prodigal son who is welcomed home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 parable
Throughout, in interviews with Costa, Malafaia justifies his political aspiration with Biblical parables.
—
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
The production is filled with humor, heartstring-tugging moments and real-life experiences that double as powerful parables.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Based on the children’s book Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth and inspired heavily by Zen koans (short Zen Buddhist parables) the show takes a mindful approach to storytelling that’s quiet and engaging for kids and adults alike.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 July 2025
The playwrights intended the drama as an allegorical parable for the age shaped by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy.
—Time, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
The production is filled with humor, heartstring-tugging moments and real-life experiences that double as powerful parables.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Based on the children’s book Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth and inspired heavily by Zen koans (short Zen Buddhist parables) the show takes a mindful approach to storytelling that’s quiet and engaging for kids and adults alike.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 July 2025
The playwrights intended the drama as an allegorical parable for the age shaped by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy.
—Time, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parable
Noun
-
Though often seen as an allegory for the AIDS crisis, in the context of the MOAD show the piece can take on a different interpretation.—
Douglas Markowitz,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The book also ties Pennywise’s origins to Derry’s original Native American population in a colonial allegory.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Will there be fables about musical sand dunes on Mars?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a whole other movie happening within Good Fortune‘s attempt to Aesop-fable its way to some moral about a modest life being a more fulfilling one even if you’re forced to live in your car.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Folklorist Thomas Keightley tells the tale of a kobold named Hödeken who was insulted by a kitchen boy who kept spraying water at him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And then at some point, the movie turns into a full-on tale of modern-age sorcery, shifting from its historical roots into an arthouse genre flick replete with fire and demons.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parable. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share