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
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
Many of these sanctuary city resolutions made clear allusions to the historic and sacred underpinnings of their efforts.
— Made By History, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
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
Many of these sanctuary city resolutions made clear allusions to the historic and sacred underpinnings of their efforts.
— Made By History, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Starkey said in seeming reference to the Metro report.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Another pillar of Google's opposition will be the privacy and security implications of the DOJ's demand for data sharing.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
21 Apr. 2025
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For millennials, many of whom came of age during the Great Recession and are now contending with high interest rates and housing shortages, that lopsided ownership has real implications.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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