SINCE 1828
allegorical
adjective
al·le·gor·i·cal
| \ ˌa-lə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl
, -ˈgär-\
, -ˈgär-\
Definition of allegorical
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of allegory
allegorical paintings allegorical meanings of images allegorical symbols of our culture
2
: having hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text
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Other Words from allegorical
allegorically
\ -k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
allegoricalness
\ -kəl-nəs
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of allegorical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the energetic swirl of allegorical motifs and internal references, in smearing the line between figuration and abstraction, Kokoschka emerges as a forerunner of artists like R.B. Kitaj and Georg Baselitz. — A.j. Goldmann, WSJ, "‘Oskar Kokoschka—Expressionist, Migrant, European. A Retrospective’ Review: Longevity as Blessing and Curse," 2 Jan. 2019 Known for stories with nuanced characters, addressing real-world concerns with supernatural powers and plots with an allegorical slant, Lee became the standard bearer for generations of creators who would follow him. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Remembering Stan Lee, the Marvel Comics Legend, Dies at 95," 12 Nov. 2018 Animal Farm Though it was made all the way back in 1954, the animated take on George Orwell's allegorical classic feels creepily prescient even now. — Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, "16 Animated Movies Every Adult Should Watch," 15 Aug. 2017 The Oscar winner will play a magistrate who reconsiders his role in a regime in the adaptation of J.M. Coetzee's allegorical novel. — Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Mark Rylance Confirmed for 'Waiting for the Barbarians' (Exclusive)," 12 July 2018 Two young black men encounter a mysterious white stranger in Antoinette Nwandu's allegorical drama seen previously at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, where it was filmed by Spike Lee. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Pass Over': Theater Review," 19 June 2018 But his fact-and-fantasy images of existential violence and degradation, past and present, are in an old allegorical mode. — New York Times, "He Spoke Out During the AIDS Crisis. See Why His Art Still Matters.," 12 July 2018 Based in Mumbai, Mr. Kallat has been best known since the mid-1990s for allegorical paintings and sculptures combining news photographs, self-portraiture and images of urban chaos and violence. — New York Times, "What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week," 6 June 2018 MewithoutYous shift into brooding indie folk, with reverberant waltzes that touch on religious themes and allegorical subjects. — John Adamian, courant.com, "Seven Concerts You Might Want To See (And Why)," 9 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allegorical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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