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 Where An Orange Colored Day was gestural and allusive, A Rush to Nowhere is direct. — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for allusive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusive

Adjective

With Becerra’s win this week, California has elected five consecutive Catholic governors — a remarkable streak indicative of Catholicism’s enduring influence.

— Krysta Fauria, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
The cover art for The Holy Cross Tigers is awash in burgundy, a more ambiguous shade that’s indicative of the oppositional emotions stewing within.

— Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of indicative

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

Measles typically begins with a high fever followed by a telltale rash that starts on the face and neck.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
So check underneath the piece, inside its drawers, and along the back for telltale holes, which Dill says are all signs of insects in furniture.

— Shelby Deering, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of telltale

Adjective

If a small team can build something playable and expressive enough to assess earlier, the expensive decisions can come later, when there is a much better sense of what works.

— Ben Feder, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026
Students and faculty shouldn’t have to finance years of litigation to enjoy the expressive freedoms their universities promise.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of expressive

Adjective

Pritam never forgot the remark and, with characteristic wit, turned it into the title of her autobiography.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026
The former contributes a subtle wheat flavor along with a little Neapolitan-style chew, while the latter lends the crust its characteristic crunch.

— Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Adjective

Resident accounts also described issues symptomatic of poor-quality concrete.

— Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
The trend toward treating it as a celebrity hobby or a passion project is symptomatic of the current wider social phobia of experts and intellectuals.

— Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of symptomatic

Adjective

Securing ‘quick, symbolic victories’ in convoluted conflict Security experts like Diego Da Rin, Haiti analyst for International Crisis Group, have cast doubt on Bukele’s ability to replicate his model to vanquish Haiti’s gangs.

— Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
This new international body represented change but also continuity, enabling Britain to maintain a global (but mostly symbolic) presence at a time when its real geopolitical power was rapidly in retreat.

— Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of symbolic

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allusions

allusive

alluvion

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“Allusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of allusive

adjective

Example Sentences

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