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
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
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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Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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What kind of message would prime Jeezy have presented without the pyrex parables in tow?—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Animated family films have been a staple of entertainment culture for nearly a century and offer a rich catalog of adventures, fables, fairy tales and dramas.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
27 Jan. 2026
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Or throw it back with some age-old fables or fairy tales.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Join me each week for these and other tales about Des Moines' and Iowa's surprisingly colorful past.—
Bill Steiden,
Des Moines Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Rockrohr used both sides of this visual coin, telling of groundwork done by the late Harry Teshima to bring Black residents into the community and tales of lasting friendships and stories of insults thrown at Black students.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allegories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegories. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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