apologue

noun

ˈa-pə-ˌlȯg How to pronounce apologue (audio)
Definition of apologuenext
as in allegory
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life the film is an apologue of sorts, but the message is couched in a zany and action-filled plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologue
  1. allegory
  2. parable
  3. fable
  4. tale
Noun
  • In East of Eden, Pugh delivers yet another knock out performance as Cathy Ames, the distant mother and madam at the center of Steinbeck’s multigenerational family saga and biblical allegory.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Is the morality fable at the end an allegory of purgatory or hell?
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of allegory
Noun
  • As nightmare thought experiments shape the fight over how to govern a multitrillion-dollar industry, some experts say the parables may lead decision-makers astray.
    — Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Then Jesus appears and leads them through a joyful summer day of parables and prayer, in a New York City otherwise devoid of people.
    — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of parable
Noun
  • Ajon [Singh] talked a lot about that fable of the two wolves.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Is the morality fable at the end an allegory of purgatory or hell?
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • The play is a gently unfolding, calmly delivered tale of the decades of horrors endured by a real-life person named Eddie Jaku.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And for Netflix, Bayona helmed Society of the Snow, a drama based on the true-life tale of the Uruguayan 1972 Andes flight disaster.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of tale
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.

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apologizing
apologue
apologues
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Cite this Entry

“Apologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologue. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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