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
Image Her early New York work was similar to Mr. Wesley’s — hard-edge and minimal, but representational, and funny, with allusions to gender politics.
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Will Heinrich, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2025
Here, the actor’s deep part and polished waves offer an allusion to Old Hollywood glamour.
25.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
The suggestion that Romy could lose everything at any moment is reaffirmed by Samuel’s dialogue and a pointed conversation with an older male power player in her company who makes allusions to knowing what happened with her (now former) intern near the end of the film.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
The incoming administration has made several allusions to the use of ZBB, which theoretically allows the government to clean the slate and determine which activities to fund versus simply adopting last year’s funding level, adjusting for inflation, and budgeting from there.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Will Heinrich, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2025
Here, the actor’s deep part and polished waves offer an allusion to Old Hollywood glamour.
25.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
The suggestion that Romy could lose everything at any moment is reaffirmed by Samuel’s dialogue and a pointed conversation with an older male power player in her company who makes allusions to knowing what happened with her (now former) intern near the end of the film.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
The incoming administration has made several allusions to the use of ZBB, which theoretically allows the government to clean the slate and determine which activities to fund versus simply adopting last year’s funding level, adjusting for inflation, and budgeting from there.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for allusion
Cite this Entry
“Allusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allusion. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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