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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of parable
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
But, as in all great parables about technology, the creation eclipsed the creator.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
The playwrights intended the drama as an allegorical parable for the age shaped by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy.
—Time, 10 July 2025
The story is often described as a parable of freedom versus control.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 July 2025
But, as in all great parables about technology, the creation eclipsed the creator.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
The playwrights intended the drama as an allegorical parable for the age shaped by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy.
—Time, 10 July 2025
The story is often described as a parable of freedom versus control.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parable
Noun
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One of Panahi’s great strengths has always been his ability to incorporate allegory and metaphor without losing his grasp of character, incident, and emotion.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
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Schoenbrun surrounded that message in a mesmerizing and haunting allegory, announcing themself as one of our most gifted contemporary filmmakers in the process.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There’s a whole other movie happening within Good Fortune‘s attempt to Aesop-fable its way to some moral about a modest life being a more fulfilling one even if you’re forced to live in your car.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
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The film, a political fable, is about Marcel, a widower, a quiet man seeking refuge in a safe place, and a place of safety to raise his young son, while paranoia reigns around him.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This is the fourth Hammer Frankenstein film but only the third directed by Terence Fisher – after nine years away from the Baron’s experiments, Fisher returns for a gut-punching tale of undesirable outsiders, execution anxiety, and gender-bent possession.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
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Lane Neely, a park interpreter for Caddo Lake State Park, told USA TODAY that he's heard tales about a lake creature and a ghostly woman.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parable. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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