apologues

Definition of apologuesnext
plural of apologue
as in allegories
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

Relevance
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologues
Noun
  • But if these movies are progressive allegories of beings transcending their differences, then Hoppers is a surprisingly blunt pushback to that notion.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Chandran’s reference to allegories suggests the adaptation is leaning into the arc’s political dimensions — the civil war, the manipulation of a nation by a Warlord of the Sea, and the cost of leadership.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Jesus, who speaks in parables, not in dicta or dogmas, provides us with a primary instance of the power of the nonliteral tale.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • On Sundays, O’Neal’s father preached hope from the pulpit, stories of his family intertwined with morals and truths and parables.
    Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That Niall finds Ruben so alluring is natural to Gadd, who believes the notion of a valiant male figure has been bred into everyone via fables and fairy tales.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Fortnum & Mason does not need a goose from Aesop’s fables to have a golden egg.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Such tales clearly advise against judging people on material criteria, or assuming value based on markers of religion, class and political authority.
    Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Someday, Victor Vodnik can regale his three young daughters, Ariel, Rose, and Viviana, with tales about his battles with Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apologues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologues. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster