Thesaurus results for PARABLE

parable

noun

ˈper-ə-bəl

Definition of parable

as in allegory

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

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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 parable Apparently all mothers, even surrogate mothers, were alike, but at least Adele no longer had to fear monitory parables from her real mother. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 The desire to find these kinds of positive parables was largely driven by the fact that Malone is the mother of a young boy. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 May 2026 On Sundays, O’Neal’s father preached hope from the pulpit, stories of his family intertwined with morals and truths and parables. — Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026 On Sunday, O’Neal’s father preached hope from the pulpit, stories of his family intertwined with morals and truths and parables. — Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parable

Noun

In her role as well as elsewhere, Kalle downplays the explicit homophobia that might have rendered this a more simplistic allegory, making Asla less a figure of interfering jealousy than a woman who simply doesn’t want to be abandoned yet again.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
This Pulitzer-winning neo-slave narrative reimagines the Underground Railroad as a real subterranean network, in a Sisyphean allegory that illustrates the relentless metamorphoses of white supremacy and Black resistance.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

Definition of allegory

Noun

The Little Prince is one of those books that is thought of as both a philosophical fable for children and adults.

— Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
Explore the Wild West from the back of a rickety wagon as characters share famed fables about Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox, Pecos Bill, John Henry and Hekeke.

— Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of fable

Noun

The tale begins with a successful novelist in late middle age boarding a train after a publishing event.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Politicians in both parties often used tales of Medicaid fraud on the part of providers and recipients to justify tighter eligibility rules and spending cuts.

— Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of tale

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“Parable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parable. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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