Thesaurus results for ALLUSIVE

allusive

adjective

Definition of allusive

as in referring

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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 allusive Yarvin tends to extreme digression, while Land speaks with the allusive compression of a guru. — James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026 David Bowie, charming in interviews, and leaning toward the abstract and allusive in his lyrics, was not given to weighing in on news events. — Alexander Larman, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026 At times sparse and allusive, Moon’s poems use blank space and other stylistic considerations to convey a voice and thought that ranges from the contemplative to the surreal and absurd. — Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025 The Lady From the Sea, one of Ibsen’s most mysterious and allusive plays, centers on the figure of Ellida, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter with a maritime obsession. — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allusive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusive

Adjective

House Republicans, a superminority in the chamber, said the Tribune account was indicative of the failures of House Democratic leadership.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
The artist and computer scientist Judith Donath said that the trend is indicative of people only engaging with the half of their technology that is immediately appealing and apparent.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of indicative

Adjective

The set balanced crowd favorites with deeper cuts, moving comfortably between reflective moments and full-throttle rockers.

— Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
The exterior material has a glossy, highly reflective, mirrorlike patent leather sheen.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Definition of reflective

Adjective

Semantic bleaching is another linguistic process whereby the denotative content of a word is stripped away.

— Brandon Tensley, CNN, 10 July 2022
The paragon of such an attempt is something like Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror, a work that stands as a denotative record of the social media shift, yet still falls to the same difficulties that characterize other cultural criticism of this type.

— SPIN, SPIN, 8 Feb. 2022

Definition of denotative

Adjective

Commercial opportunities The telltale giant golf balls at Buckley Space Force Base, on the western edge of America’s high plains, are radar domes designed to protect the sensitive antennas inside.

— Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026
In 2023 a team using eROSITA, an x-ray telescope launched in 2019, found evidence of a plasma shell structure heated to more than eight million degrees Celsius, but the telltale glow remained elusive.

— Damien Pine, Scientific American, 21 July 2026

Definition of telltale

Adjective

When balanced with thoughtful material selections and a clear design focus, bold tile can make a bath feel both expressive and harmonious.

— Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026
When transiting the sign of Leo, however, the influence of Jupiter can be just as creative, expressive and unapologetic with its authenticity.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Definition of expressive

Adjective

The simple bodywork incorporates components like the seat and headlamp into the design while maintaining a characteristic adventure-bike stance.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Track three scuttles atop a bed of pine needles and broken eggshells, a nervous, almost dubsteppy rhythm haloed in Four Tet’s characteristic bell tones.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Definition of characteristic

Adjective

The situation is also symptomatic of broader strains on the country's higher education system, where grossly limited spots leave millions cramming for months, or even years, and high-stakes entrance exams leave many of them burnt out and in debt.

— Sakshi Dayal, USA Today, 22 July 2026
The controversy the ad stirred up is symptomatic of a deeper rupture.

— Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of symptomatic

Adjective

The post was originally written in response to a Vox article warning millennials were unprepared for a coming eldercare crisis, and its resurgence this July coincided with the symbolic milestone of the first boomers turning 80.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Last week, the House extended a symbolic rebuke to Trump by approving a resolution to curb the war with a 214 to 208 vote.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 31 July 2026

Definition of symbolic

Browse Nearby Words

allusions

allusive

alluvion

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“Allusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusive. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of allusive

adjective

Example Sentences

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