as in parables
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
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Recent Examples of allegories
Chandran’s reference to allegories suggests the adaptation is leaning into the arc’s political dimensions — the civil war, the manipulation of a nation by a Warlord of the Sea, and the cost of leadership.
—
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
These are tales of misplacement and metamorphosis — humans as beasts, beasts as allegories.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
His canvases are populated by allegories.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
In these allegories of dehumanization, greed, and hope, Marshall takes an unvarnished view of his subjects, one that doesn’t sugarcoat the past or succumb to nostalgia for a mythical, precolonial Golden Age.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Part of a long tradition of both David and Goliath adaptations and illustrated renditions of Judeo-Christian allegories, the new musical drama is Angel Studio’s latest take on the iconic underdog story and a wholesome way to spend your afternoon.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
But there’s an awkwardness in the sequel that feels like the inevitable outcome of these movies stretching their allegories to their limits.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
The Terror from Beyond Space served up slimy green men and Red Scare allegories, the period covered by Baron abounds with optimism and wonder.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
Trans allegories abound in horror fiction, but vampires just might be the hottest one of all.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 22 Aug. 2025
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
These are tales of misplacement and metamorphosis — humans as beasts, beasts as allegories.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
His canvases are populated by allegories.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
In these allegories of dehumanization, greed, and hope, Marshall takes an unvarnished view of his subjects, one that doesn’t sugarcoat the past or succumb to nostalgia for a mythical, precolonial Golden Age.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Part of a long tradition of both David and Goliath adaptations and illustrated renditions of Judeo-Christian allegories, the new musical drama is Angel Studio’s latest take on the iconic underdog story and a wholesome way to spend your afternoon.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
But there’s an awkwardness in the sequel that feels like the inevitable outcome of these movies stretching their allegories to their limits.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
The Terror from Beyond Space served up slimy green men and Red Scare allegories, the period covered by Baron abounds with optimism and wonder.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
Trans allegories abound in horror fiction, but vampires just might be the hottest one of all.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegories
Noun
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Coogan was poking fun at tech companies’ impulse to name themselves after myths and parables, even when those myths and cultural artifacts have negative associations.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
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Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Both fables and translations are forms of constrained writing.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
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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,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There’s water everywhere, approach angles that punish the wrong side of the fairway, and a closing stretch with a long history of turning good rounds into cautionary tales.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Celebrate all things Irish, rock out to four bands, watch a musical that intertwines two mythic tales, see a Baltimore cult classic at the Senator Theatre and listen to a soulful tribute to R&B legends.—
John Coffren,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allegories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegories. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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