allegory

noun

ˈa-lə-ˌgȯr-ē How to pronounce allegory (audio)
Definition of allegorynext
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

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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 This Pulitzer-winning neo-slave narrative reimagines the Underground Railroad as a real subterranean network, in a Sisyphean allegory that illustrates the relentless metamorphoses of white supremacy and Black resistance. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 July 2026 Hawthorne’s tale is not just an allegory of the Revolution. — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026 This is finally an allegory of humanity’s needs beyond food, water, and shelter. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 His story is an allegory for refereeing football matches. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for allegory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegory
  1. parable
  2. fable
  3. tale
Noun
  • Mandela’s life and South Africa’s history should never be flattened into a corporate parable.
    — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The pair’s mysterious interactions in the early chapters give way to a series of parables of doubt and belief, in which a rational character is confronted by an irrational event—and immediately convinced of its absolute truth.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of parable
Noun
  • The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sullivan’s Anne first aired on PBS the very same night, for instance, that the erotic multicultural dance fable Flashdance was first shown on network TV.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • The Zoe reveal is a neat wrinkle in the tale, one that John admits to wondering about without being sure.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • These factors, including varying breeds, make the old wives tale of multiplying a dog's age by seven inaccurate.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of tale

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allegory
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Cite this Entry

“Allegory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegory. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on allegory

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about allegory

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