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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Wood also studied the backstage photography of Mick Rock, pulling references of Bowie, Iggy Pop and Freddie Mercury.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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By the summer of 2021, the company had complied with the government’s initial request to identify more than 250 users whose searches included references to bombs or if users repeatedly looked up the RNC or DNC.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Noun
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For American patients, the practical implication is direct accountability.—
Ascend Agency,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
-
The global implications of the Iranian MOU are dire.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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