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
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
Speaking to the theatrical experience, Spielberg made a brief allusion to the flare-up around comments by Timothée Chalamet regarding the popularity of opera and ballet in relation to the movies.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
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
Speaking to the theatrical experience, Spielberg made a brief allusion to the flare-up around comments by Timothée Chalamet regarding the popularity of opera and ballet in relation to the movies.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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Bono takes this idea someplace else with a reference to the wounds of Christ, reminding us that they were inflicted by the state combined with religious authority.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
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Most references to the Arbat in the ancient chronicles are connected to fires, amid mention of invasions and plagues and noble births.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other budgetary implications the administration is looking at is how senior attendance will play a part in state funding near the end of the year, as more seniors skip classes.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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The issue is not whether biennials have environmental implications.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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