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 Vault — moody, dim, speakeasy-like — doubles down on those historical allusions.
—
David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
There’s the suggestion that the satellite in the beginning is actually the silhouette of an Alien Queen, and there’s also an allusion to the Predator earlier as well.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
This allusion to cavernous splendor works both for and against the production, which is being directed, once again, by Landau.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
The suggestion that Romy could lose everything at any moment is reaffirmed by Samuel’s dialogue and a pointed conversation with an older male power player in her company who makes allusions to knowing what happened with her (now former) intern near the end of the film.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
There’s the suggestion that the satellite in the beginning is actually the silhouette of an Alien Queen, and there’s also an allusion to the Predator earlier as well.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
This allusion to cavernous splendor works both for and against the production, which is being directed, once again, by Landau.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
The suggestion that Romy could lose everything at any moment is reaffirmed by Samuel’s dialogue and a pointed conversation with an older male power player in her company who makes allusions to knowing what happened with her (now former) intern near the end of the film.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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For reference, a brand new iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at 7,999 yuan in China.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
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Bonus points are available for a reference to their native Bay Area.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
23 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 29 May. 2025.
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