as in reference
a statement that refers to something without mentioning it directly
The lyrics contain biblical allusions.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 allusion
But, as Jude has noted in interviews, the title is also an allusion.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Van Beirendonck gravitates toward loud prints in bright colors and allusions to BDSM, whereas Van Saene makes elegant cocktail dresses for women with bow details and shrunken cardigans.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
His words evoke the image of an animal slithering on the ground before growing—an allusion that was likely intended as a gardening pun about reptiles, argues classics scholar Rebecca Armstrong.
—Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
Plentiful other allusions suggest the wait may not be too painful; the long breadcrumb trail, sprinkled throughout 2025, gives the impression OR3 is just waiting to burst out of her.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Van Beirendonck gravitates toward loud prints in bright colors and allusions to BDSM, whereas Van Saene makes elegant cocktail dresses for women with bow details and shrunken cardigans.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
His words evoke the image of an animal slithering on the ground before growing—an allusion that was likely intended as a gardening pun about reptiles, argues classics scholar Rebecca Armstrong.
—Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
Plentiful other allusions suggest the wait may not be too painful; the long breadcrumb trail, sprinkled throughout 2025, gives the impression OR3 is just waiting to burst out of her.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
-
Ahead of the exhibition’s opening, Jafa wasn’t sure how visitors might receive the exhibition, especially given that some might see his admiration for Prince’s work as unconventional, even if disparate references mining the whole of American culture are part and parcel to his practice.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
8 May 2026
-
So not only for the purposes of little boys and girls and theys and thems that look like me, to be able to see themselves and feel represented, but as well as for all of those who don’t understand people that look like me, being able to have a tangible reference.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Cutting community healthcare workers also has implications for future preparedness for other pandemics, experts have warned.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
For couples who seek reproductive help, an IVF mixup and its emotional implications is one of their worst nightmares.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
