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
Jacobs-Jenkins came to think that that coy allusion was a bad idea.
—
Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Trump’s allusions to police brutality – the very thing demonstrators were protesting – only seemed to rile them and underscore what was at stake.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
There are allusions that Florian has been, or may still be, politically active.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 May 2025
The technology sectors’ allusions to national security and AI have a certain shape-shifting quality to them.
—Harry Law, Time, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Trump’s allusions to police brutality – the very thing demonstrators were protesting – only seemed to rile them and underscore what was at stake.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
There are allusions that Florian has been, or may still be, politically active.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 May 2025
The technology sectors’ allusions to national security and AI have a certain shape-shifting quality to them.
—Harry Law, Time, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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That’s less of a reference to the tour de force singer and songwriter’s 2019 live album and documentary concert film of the same name, but more a nod to true-to-life, Lone Star State homecoming traditions.—
Amber Elliott,
Vogue,
30 June 2025
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While stablecoins have emerged as crypto’s dominant payment mechanism, a subtler shift may be underway: the emergence of Bitcoin not just as a store of value, but as a reference benchmark, a unit of account for global assets and financial flows.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Significant treasury regulations may be necessary to fully address tax implications, particularly in the estate and gift tax area on transfers of and by stablecoins and similar digital currency.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6, he is expected to outline a framework for identifying his reincarnation, a decision that carries religious significance and political implications for Tibetans and the Chinese government.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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