as in parables
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
Dr. Seuss's story "The Sneetches" is a telling allegory about tolerance for people's differences
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Recent Examples of allegories
But if these movies are progressive allegories of beings transcending their differences, then Hoppers is a surprisingly blunt pushback to that notion.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
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
These are tales of misplacement and metamorphosis — humans as beasts, beasts as allegories.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
His canvases are populated by allegories.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
In these allegories of dehumanization, greed, and hope, Marshall takes an unvarnished view of his subjects, one that doesn’t sugarcoat the past or succumb to nostalgia for a mythical, precolonial Golden Age.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Part of a long tradition of both David and Goliath adaptations and illustrated renditions of Judeo-Christian allegories, the new musical drama is Angel Studio’s latest take on the iconic underdog story and a wholesome way to spend your afternoon.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
But there’s an awkwardness in the sequel that feels like the inevitable outcome of these movies stretching their allegories to their limits.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
The Terror from Beyond Space served up slimy green men and Red Scare allegories, the period covered by Baron abounds with optimism and wonder.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
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
These are tales of misplacement and metamorphosis — humans as beasts, beasts as allegories.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
His canvases are populated by allegories.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
In these allegories of dehumanization, greed, and hope, Marshall takes an unvarnished view of his subjects, one that doesn’t sugarcoat the past or succumb to nostalgia for a mythical, precolonial Golden Age.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Part of a long tradition of both David and Goliath adaptations and illustrated renditions of Judeo-Christian allegories, the new musical drama is Angel Studio’s latest take on the iconic underdog story and a wholesome way to spend your afternoon.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
But there’s an awkwardness in the sequel that feels like the inevitable outcome of these movies stretching their allegories to their limits.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
The Terror from Beyond Space served up slimy green men and Red Scare allegories, the period covered by Baron abounds with optimism and wonder.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegories
Noun
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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
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Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
Noun
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Wessels catches gleams to follow not only in magical tales but in twinkling memories, sparkling wordplay, the films of silver-screen star Veronica Lake, and his charm of a daughter, the inspiration of a half-dozen poems that take their titles from spells.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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Other folk tales trace them back to Noah's ark.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allegories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegories. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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