1
as in allegory
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
this classic Christmas film is essentially a fable showing how every person's life has meaning and touches the lives of others
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2
as in myth
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature
according to an ancient fable the waters of the mountain spring are the tears of a woman weeping for her lost children
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3
as in tale
something that is the product of the imagination
the stories of lost cities of gold may have been fables deliberately concocted by Native Americans to dupe the Spanish
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4
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive
the fables that people tell themselves to rationalize their failures and shortcomings
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fable
The Easter Bunny is on the lookout for the best egg, and along the way, his friends tell him tales and fables.
—
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
Max Webster’s production, which won three Tony Awards for its mesmerizing design, brings audiences along on an adventure that combines the heartfelt wisdom of a classic fable with the splendor of modern stage poetry.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
With a beautifully labyrinthian plot, Alma and Mina’s story is a modern fable about good samaritans and well-intentioned, moneyed, privileged people.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Nicole Kidman's fairy tale life turns into a twisted fable in the trailer for her latest thriller, Holland.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fable
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
Max Webster’s production, which won three Tony Awards for its mesmerizing design, brings audiences along on an adventure that combines the heartfelt wisdom of a classic fable with the splendor of modern stage poetry.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
With a beautifully labyrinthian plot, Alma and Mina’s story is a modern fable about good samaritans and well-intentioned, moneyed, privileged people.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Nicole Kidman's fairy tale life turns into a twisted fable in the trailer for her latest thriller, Holland.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fable
Noun
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Both as high-intensity nail-biter and sharp political allegory, the 2002 feature remains among the most influential horror of the 21st century.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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Gender dynamics depicted through the prism of allegory and magic realism.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
12 June 2025
Noun
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When the photographer Víctor Zea was a child living in Lima, Peru, he was taught an Inca myth of origin.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
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Getting up to speed on the modern-day reality of actual EV usage and charging habits proves to be the antidote to overcoming the ever-fading yet persistent myth of range anxiety.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Where Bailey lands is probably going to tell the tale of his career.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
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The page lists half a dozen directorial projects Ford is attached to, including ferry disaster tragedy Wahine out of New Zealand, fantasy tale The King of Light – The Order of the Dark Gods, and comedy Food Fight.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Stock photo: A couple lie inside of a campervan side by side.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Power shields its misdeeds with propaganda, but Panh sees such murderous lies clearly, giving them an honest staging, thick with echoes.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Some such principles can even be drawn from Christ’s own parables.—
Alejandro Antonio Chafuen,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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The series of parables and contained narratives are also dotted with evidence of time travel.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
13 May 2025
Noun
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As local legend goes, the bridge served as an escape route for Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
15 June 2025
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While the Beaver Nuggets and jerky wall get most of the love (and yes, the bathrooms are as spotless as legend says), chefs say the real reason to pull over is the hot bar.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Megan Abbott is my favorite suspense/crime fiction writer working today.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Its slate includes a fiction feature, two documentaries, and two Latin American co-productions.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Drinks with a story The illustrated cocktail menu is a journey in itself, presented like a mini storybook through greater New York City.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
23 June 2025
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However, Walters' incredible career is only part of her story.—
Sean Keane,
ABC News,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fable. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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