as in allegory
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
the parable in which the repentant sinner is compared to the returning prodigal son who is welcomed home
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Recent Examples of parable
In the parable of the cave, in the Republic, Plato compares human beings to cave dwellers who never see the sun, but perceive everything by shadowy firelight.
—
Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
What kind of message would prime Jeezy have presented without the pyrex parables in tow?
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2025
The wordplay is as colorful as the sonics are sedate, tag-team player parables sailing over production seeking a slippery middle ground between East and West Coast throwback jams.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
The musical features a ragtag group who help Jesus tell various parables.
—Mo Rocca, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
What kind of message would prime Jeezy have presented without the pyrex parables in tow?
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2025
The wordplay is as colorful as the sonics are sedate, tag-team player parables sailing over production seeking a slippery middle ground between East and West Coast throwback jams.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
The musical features a ragtag group who help Jesus tell various parables.
—Mo Rocca, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parable
Noun
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Devil 2, in that way, might be viewed as an allegory.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
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For Ishiguro, the quest results in a revelation of the darkest possible allegory.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The barnyard fable is as old as the barnyard, as old as Aesop, older than the Bible.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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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
Noun
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That’s easier to accomplish the further the plot moves away from a diplomatic incident involving several national institutions and toward an occasionally absurd — but absorbing and well-paced — tale of individuals in over their heads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
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San Diego County can once again be a model of fiscal responsibility — not a cautionary tale.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parable. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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