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
Buy Now 10 of 14 'Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism' by Sarah Wynn-Williams
While this memoir is about the leaders of Facebook (now Meta) and has little to do with The Great Gatsby, the title is a wonderful allusion to Fitzerald’s novel.
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Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
At this year's Oscars, announcer Nick Offerman made a joking allusion to his familiarity with Parks costar Poehler by feigning total unfamiliarity.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2025
In other January texts, the mayor told political allies the city was undergoing a new Reconstruction era, an allusion to the period of rapid but ultimately halted Black advancement after the Civil War.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
There are lyrical allusions to morphine and a pretty, romantic melody.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
At this year's Oscars, announcer Nick Offerman made a joking allusion to his familiarity with Parks costar Poehler by feigning total unfamiliarity.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2025
In other January texts, the mayor told political allies the city was undergoing a new Reconstruction era, an allusion to the period of rapid but ultimately halted Black advancement after the Civil War.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
There are lyrical allusions to morphine and a pretty, romantic melody.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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For reference, Naylor inked a one-year, $10.9 million deal in his final year of arbitration.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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The campsite’s name is a reference to the Valley Forge Lodge, which operated in the area in the early 1900s.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Institutions should conduct systematic curriculum reviews that combine teaching technical AI skills with cultivating critical thinking about AI’s societal and ethical implications across disciplines, as is present at Arizona State University.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Brandon Lingle | The San Antonio Express-News | AP Trump’s decision to accept the gift has sparked fierce controversy over the legality, ethics and national security implications of what would be the largest foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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