as in reference
a statement that refers to something without mentioning it directly
The lyrics contain biblical allusions.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
There are lyrical allusions to morphine and a pretty, romantic melody.
—
Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Many of these sanctuary city resolutions made clear allusions to the historic and sacred underpinnings of their efforts.
— Made By History, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Vance’s allusion to President Andrew Jackson is incomplete.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
Nods to previous films, among them Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005) and Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018), come off as plain theft rather than respectful allusion.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Many of these sanctuary city resolutions made clear allusions to the historic and sacred underpinnings of their efforts.
— Made By History, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Vance’s allusion to President Andrew Jackson is incomplete.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
Nods to previous films, among them Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005) and Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018), come off as plain theft rather than respectful allusion.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
-
Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Starkey said in seeming reference to the Metro report.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Another pillar of Google's opposition will be the privacy and security implications of the DOJ's demand for data sharing.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
21 Apr. 2025
-
For millennials, many of whom came of age during the Great Recession and are now contending with high interest rates and housing shortages, that lopsided ownership has real implications.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share