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
The finale also makes some allusions to things to come.
—
Andrew McGowan, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Take note of the clever literary allusions and wordplay that might have gone over your head back in elementary school.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Younger listeners will recognize the name from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, while old folks will note the allusion to the actor’s breakout performance in Spike Lee’s 1988 HBCU homage School Daze.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
The allusions to Mexican culture appear to be designed to highlight the Republican claims that Democrats are demanding federal benefits for migrants without legal status as a condition to winning their support on a budget bill — a charge the Democrats deny.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Andrew McGowan, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Take note of the clever literary allusions and wordplay that might have gone over your head back in elementary school.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Younger listeners will recognize the name from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, while old folks will note the allusion to the actor’s breakout performance in Spike Lee’s 1988 HBCU homage School Daze.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
The allusions to Mexican culture appear to be designed to highlight the Republican claims that Democrats are demanding federal benefits for migrants without legal status as a condition to winning their support on a budget bill — a charge the Democrats deny.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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The show, meanwhile, harkened back to eras gone by, featuring burlesque, showgirl outfits, an homage to West Side Story and references to past Las Vegas royalty, including The Rat Pack and Elvis Presley.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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In 2024, Collins sponsored a bill that was drafted in part by the governor’s office to ban offshore wind turbines in state waters and delete most of the references to climate change in state law.—
Shauna Muckle,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But there was a big difference with huge implications for the Colorado economy.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The Harbaugh hire could have major implications for the legacies of both brothers.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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