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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of parable
Then there’s this weird other, like Mae got really into parables.
—
William Earl, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Throughout, in interviews with Costa, Malafaia justifies his political aspiration with Biblical parables.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
The production is filled with humor, heartstring-tugging moments and real-life experiences that double as powerful parables.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Based on the children’s book Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth and inspired heavily by Zen koans (short Zen Buddhist parables) the show takes a mindful approach to storytelling that’s quiet and engaging for kids and adults alike.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
William Earl, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Throughout, in interviews with Costa, Malafaia justifies his political aspiration with Biblical parables.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
The production is filled with humor, heartstring-tugging moments and real-life experiences that double as powerful parables.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025
Based on the children’s book Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth and inspired heavily by Zen koans (short Zen Buddhist parables) the show takes a mindful approach to storytelling that’s quiet and engaging for kids and adults alike.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parable
Noun
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Blending dark comedy, drama, and suspense, His Weakest Creatures is billed as a sharp allegory of love, survival, and moral compromise, culminating in an unexpected finale.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
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After their collaboration on The Lobster, director Yorgos Lanthimos cast Farrell in yet another of his symbolic, surreal allegories.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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According to historical fables, yes.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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His movies — farces, fables, experiments — reside in surreal worlds of their own.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Musicalizing the story does little to ground the audience in Jackie’s world and instead pulls and stretches the tale, when the themes alone could speak for themselves.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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As the title suggests, this sprawling tale centers on Raja, a man in his sixties who lives with his mother in Beirut, a city shaking with political and ecological turmoil.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parable. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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