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
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Recent Examples of allegory
Sirāt‘s central themes are deeply rooted in both metaphysical allegory and contemporary societal critique.
—
Robert Lang, Deadline, 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
Perhaps that’s an allegory itself?
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for allegory
Robert Lang, Deadline, 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
Perhaps that’s an allegory itself?
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for allegory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegory
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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In the parable of the cave, in the Republic, Plato compares human beings to cave dwellers who never see the sun, but perceive everything by shadowy firelight.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The film presents a fable in which a cop and a machine find their way through the maze of this mystery, essentially arguing that law enforcement should have access to this kind of surveillance.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
22 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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The podcast is a fascinating artifact, the tale of a woman still untangling her role as both victim and victimizer.—
Jillian Steinhauer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
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What unfolds is not just a thriller about biotechnology run amok, but a cautionary tale about a culture where the line between health and the pursuit of a narrow beauty ideal is troublingly blurry.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allegory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegory. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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