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 allusions to the works of midcentury American painters Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth.
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Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024
Just take a look at this year’s VMAs ceremonies, where countless new-gen pop talents, including Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McCrae and Megan Thee Stallion, incorporated allusions to classic Britney in their appearances and performances.
—James Dinh, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2024
The accompanying music video was rife with allusions to a larger narrative.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
His allusions can be hard to follow, but his mordant wit repays the effort.
—The Week Us, theweek, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for allusion 
Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024
Just take a look at this year’s VMAs ceremonies, where countless new-gen pop talents, including Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McCrae and Megan Thee Stallion, incorporated allusions to classic Britney in their appearances and performances.
—James Dinh, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2024
The accompanying music video was rife with allusions to a larger narrative.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
His allusions can be hard to follow, but his mordant wit repays the effort.
—The Week Us, theweek, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for allusion
Thesaurus Entries Near allusion
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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