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
There are lyrical allusions to morphine and a pretty, romantic melody.
—
Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Many of these sanctuary city resolutions made clear allusions to the historic and sacred underpinnings of their efforts.
— Made By History, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Vance’s allusion to President Andrew Jackson is incomplete.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
Nods to previous films, among them Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005) and Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018), come off as plain theft rather than respectful allusion.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Many of these sanctuary city resolutions made clear allusions to the historic and sacred underpinnings of their efforts.
— Made By History, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Vance’s allusion to President Andrew Jackson is incomplete.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025
Nods to previous films, among them Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005) and Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018), come off as plain theft rather than respectful allusion.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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