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
On Sunday, O’Neal’s father preached hope from the pulpit, stories of his family intertwined with morals and truths and parables.
—
Courtney Crowder,
Des Moines Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Plato’s prescient understanding of ICE agents arose during a discussion of the parable of the Ring of Gyges.
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Paul Rosenzweig,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.
—
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for parable
Courtney Crowder,
Des Moines Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Plato’s prescient understanding of ICE agents arose during a discussion of the parable of the Ring of Gyges.
—
Paul Rosenzweig,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.
—
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for parable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parable
Noun
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It can be read as a direct allegory for conversion therapy and for other ways that homophobia can alter behavior and cause lasting psychological and emotional damage.
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Hawthorne’s tale is not just an allegory of the Revolution.
Noun
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Explore the Wild West from the back of a rickety wagon as characters share famed fables about Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox, Pecos Bill, John Henry and Hekeke.
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But the turtle/cat comment just sounds like a summary of Aesop’s absolute worst fable.
Noun
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In the hands of Gillespie — whose specialty is edgy female-empowerment tales like the Oscar-winning I, Tonya and Cruella as well as the Emmy-winning Hulu series Pam & Tommy — how could the new Supergirl go wrong?
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The final score doesn't tell the tale of this game.
Cite this Entry
“Parable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parable. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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