as in reference
a statement that refers to something without mentioning it directly
The lyrics contain biblical allusions.
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Recent Examples of allusion
Plentiful other allusions suggest the wait may not be too painful; the long breadcrumb trail, sprinkled throughout 2025, gives the impression OR3 is just waiting to burst out of her.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
Speaking to the theatrical experience, Spielberg made a brief allusion to the flare-up around comments by Timothée Chalamet regarding the popularity of opera and ballet in relation to the movies.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Fans were quick to notice the allusion in the March 9 post.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
But there were, nonetheless, plenty of fringes, beaded embellishments and allusions to the jazz age on the red carpet at LA’s Shrine Auditorium.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
Speaking to the theatrical experience, Spielberg made a brief allusion to the flare-up around comments by Timothée Chalamet regarding the popularity of opera and ballet in relation to the movies.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Fans were quick to notice the allusion in the March 9 post.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
But there were, nonetheless, plenty of fringes, beaded embellishments and allusions to the jazz age on the red carpet at LA’s Shrine Auditorium.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusion
Noun
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Bono takes this idea someplace else with a reference to the wounds of Christ, reminding us that they were inflicted by the state combined with religious authority.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
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Most references to the Arbat in the ancient chronicles are connected to fires, amid mention of invasions and plagues and noble births.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other budgetary implications the administration is looking at is how senior attendance will play a part in state funding near the end of the year, as more seniors skip classes.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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The issue is not whether biennials have environmental implications.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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