as in parable
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life Dr. Seuss's story "The Sneetches" is a telling allegory about tolerance for people's differences

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 allegory Dumont’s spirit of derision imbues his allegory with outrageous humor and rueful melancholy. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025 There is no elaborately unfolding allegory, nor any heart-wrenching depictions of human relationships amid tragedy; there is only a directness. Hazlitt, 27 Feb. 2025 Warfare cannot reconcile the difference between documentary and allegory. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025 And then Arthur Miller himself wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism. Nick Romano, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allegory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegory
Noun
  • Sufi saints used stories, parables and allegories to teach spiritual truths.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • While Jesus may have used parables and the Apostle Paul used letters, Francis used social media to spread the Gospel.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The exhibition at DuSable Black History Museum features works made by Nazareno in response to Brazilian fables that that draw inspiration from the pantheon of Orixás–a system of entities worshipped in parts of Africa and Latin America.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Easter Bunny is on the lookout for the best egg, and along the way, his friends tell him tales and fables.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Returning to the wuxia genre that has defined much of his illustrious career, Tsui explains his approach to this latest adaptation of the classic martial arts tale.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2025
  • The best film version of Finney’s tale is the ‘70s one with Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nimoy.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allegory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegory. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on allegory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!