as in allegories
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 parables
Coogan was poking fun at tech companies’ impulse to name themselves after myths and parables, even when those myths and cultural artifacts have negative associations.
—
Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.
—Literary Hub, 14 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
Then there’s this weird other, like Mae got really into parables.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 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
Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.
—Literary Hub, 14 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
Then there’s this weird other, like Mae got really into parables.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parables
Noun
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Chandran’s reference to allegories suggests the adaptation is leaning into the arc’s political dimensions — the civil war, the manipulation of a nation by a Warlord of the Sea, and the cost of leadership.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
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These are tales of misplacement and metamorphosis — humans as beasts, beasts as allegories.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Both fables and translations are forms of constrained writing.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
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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,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parables.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parables. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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