as in reference
a statement that refers to something without mentioning it directly
The lyrics contain biblical allusions.
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Recent Examples of allusion
There is a hyper awareness to TSADACM, a determination to point out each of its Easter eggs and allusions, lest the viewer think Schoenbrun is trying to outsmart anyone.
—
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Wheatley was born in West Africa before being kidnapped and enslaved, and wrote timeless, staggering lyrics of elegy and Biblical allusion while enduring the bondage of slavery.
—Time, 12 May 2026
The clear allusion to Dubya set up his very big and important high-school vice-principal-ass pronouncement about a full embargo on goods being shipped to Mars.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
The indictment makes no allusion to evidence beyond the photograph.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Wheatley was born in West Africa before being kidnapped and enslaved, and wrote timeless, staggering lyrics of elegy and Biblical allusion while enduring the bondage of slavery.
—Time, 12 May 2026
The clear allusion to Dubya set up his very big and important high-school vice-principal-ass pronouncement about a full embargo on goods being shipped to Mars.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
The indictment makes no allusion to evidence beyond the photograph.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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In tests, cement paste containing carbon dioxide equal to 1 percent of cement weight achieved an average of 13 percent higher compressive strength after 24 hours than reference samples.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
-
That kind of reference can make the browsing process feel less random.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Noun
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This shift carries important implications for leaders across communities and organizations.—
Michael Edmondson,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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There are implications for using this technology for climate, for plant life.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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