as in referring
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of allusive
In the second Trump era, these viewers seem to prefer a more allusive approach, processing the times through movies about other countries’ authoritarian governments.
—
Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
At times sparse and allusive, Moon’s poems use blank space and other stylistic considerations to convey a voice and thought that ranges from the contemplative to the surreal and absurd.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
The Lady From the Sea, one of Ibsen’s most mysterious and allusive plays, centers on the figure of Ellida, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter with a maritime obsession.
—Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2025
And indeed, the riches of the Afrikaans language are on display in this sensitive, witty, and allusive rendering of Beckett’s European classic.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusive
Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
At times sparse and allusive, Moon’s poems use blank space and other stylistic considerations to convey a voice and thought that ranges from the contemplative to the surreal and absurd.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
The Lady From the Sea, one of Ibsen’s most mysterious and allusive plays, centers on the figure of Ellida, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter with a maritime obsession.
—Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2025
And indeed, the riches of the Afrikaans language are on display in this sensitive, witty, and allusive rendering of Beckett’s European classic.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allusive
Adjective
-
While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Past performance is not indicative of future results.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her portrayals – reflective of real people – will live on in television history for their honesty, wit and charm.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Both will be surrounded by streaks of bright, reflective material that were cast out during the violent asteroid impacts that formed the craters.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Semantic bleaching is another linguistic process whereby the denotative content of a word is stripped away.—
Brandon Tensley,
CNN,
10 July 2022
-
The paragon of such an attempt is something like Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror, a work that stands as a denotative record of the social media shift, yet still falls to the same difficulties that characterize other cultural criticism of this type.—
SPIN,
SPIN,
8 Feb. 2022
Adjective
-
Mucus oozed out of the coral stems, a telltale response to trauma.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In April, the telltale 14-inch-tall umbrella-like leaves of May apple start appearing.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For Grabinski, what unites all of these projects is the fine art of creating a world that is emotionally smart yet deeply silly, fun, and expressive.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Elsewhere, Paula Rego’s two self portraits from 2017 show the artist howling through expressive pastel strokes.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some had characteristic ticks etched along their outer edges, while others looked like small sticks cut lengthwise, with a flat and a curved side—forms that their makers crafted deliberately to produce random outcomes.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The show is curated by the artist’s daughters, Aiko Cuneo and Addie Lanier, and will feature many characteristic pieces.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While the spa offers a high degree of customisation, Perumbuduri stresses on how the wellness approach is holistic; Ayurveda is more interested in rebalancing overall health based on a constitutional analysis rather than symptomatic treatment.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
With researchers pushed to their limits after the funding cuts, symptomatic ALS patients are already being denied the benefits of research.—
Mindy Uhrlaub,
STAT,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Royal Maundy Service sees the sovereign distribute Maundy money, or special coins, to local pensioners (often retirees) in a service symbolic of Jesus washing the Apostles' feet at the last supper.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The invitation also ties directly to America 250 celebrations, with congressional leaders highlighting the symbolic weight of the moment.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Allusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusive. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
