as in references
a statement that refers to something without mentioning it directly
The lyrics contain biblical allusions.
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Recent Examples of allusions
And those songs trudge, Tom Waits-like, only to unwind, long and dense, full of allusions to history and Greek myth and film noir and pop culture and mentors and friends, plus death and apocalypse.
—
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Van Beirendonck gravitates toward loud prints in bright colors and allusions to BDSM, whereas Van Saene makes elegant cocktail dresses for women with bow details and shrunken cardigans.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
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
The prose is dotted with allusions to the works of Joseph Conrad, Jorge Luis Borges, and Bob Dylan, to name a few.
—Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 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
Do the allusions and shout-outs to current events and personalities seem a little too close for comfort?
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
And posts with allusions to extremism have popped up on occasion in individual department or agency feeds, especially at DHS, which oversees both Customs and Border Protection and ICE.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
What might have been just an engaging children’s story becomes also a set of hints, allusions, and glimpses, the early experiences of learning about a larger world.
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Van Beirendonck gravitates toward loud prints in bright colors and allusions to BDSM, whereas Van Saene makes elegant cocktail dresses for women with bow details and shrunken cardigans.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
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
The prose is dotted with allusions to the works of Joseph Conrad, Jorge Luis Borges, and Bob Dylan, to name a few.
—Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 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
Do the allusions and shout-outs to current events and personalities seem a little too close for comfort?
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
And posts with allusions to extremism have popped up on occasion in individual department or agency feeds, especially at DHS, which oversees both Customs and Border Protection and ICE.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
What might have been just an engaging children’s story becomes also a set of hints, allusions, and glimpses, the early experiences of learning about a larger world.
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusions
Noun
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Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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And the title Illumination is adapting, with some other references pulled here and there from throughout franchise history, is among his most creative and wondrous adventures.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As a legal battle plays out, voting rights experts across the political spectrum say the case could have nationwide implications.—
Kristin Scharkey,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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The implications could extend far beyond matters related to LGBTQ+ rights to other forms of talk therapy, telehealth, and physician advice on Covid-19, vaccines, or reproductive care.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusions. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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