1
as in allegory
a story intended to teach a basic truth or moral about life
this classic Christmas film is essentially a fable showing how every person's life has meaning and touches the lives of others
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2
as in myth
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature
according to an ancient fable the waters of the mountain spring are the tears of a woman weeping for her lost children
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3
as in tale
something that is the product of the imagination
the stories of lost cities of gold may have been fables deliberately concocted by Native Americans to dupe the Spanish
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive
the fables that people tell themselves to rationalize their failures and shortcomings
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fable
Nicole Kidman's fairy tale life turns into a twisted fable in the trailer for her latest thriller, Holland.
—
Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025
In a fable by Phaedrus, also written in the first century A.D., a barbarian is threatening the troops of the military leader, Pompey the Great.
—Tom Sapsford, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
The Tortoise And The Hare Anyone familiar with the famous Aesop fable knows that the tortoise uses smarts and diligence to beat the hare.
—Gerry Spitzer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Based on the fable of Pegasus, the seven-part work is told through dance, music, puppetry and cinema.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fable
Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025
In a fable by Phaedrus, also written in the first century A.D., a barbarian is threatening the troops of the military leader, Pompey the Great.
—Tom Sapsford, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
The Tortoise And The Hare Anyone familiar with the famous Aesop fable knows that the tortoise uses smarts and diligence to beat the hare.
—Gerry Spitzer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Based on the fable of Pegasus, the seven-part work is told through dance, music, puppetry and cinema.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fable
Noun
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Great sci-fi often serves as an allegory for current social and political issues.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2025
-
The comic is often read as a political allegory, particularly resonant due to the author's disappearance under Argentina's last military dictatorship, according to the Buenos Aires Herald.—
Jenna deJong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 May 2025
Noun
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As for the myth, Rollo-Koster said eras in history when people relied on prophecies reveal a lack of control about their lives and deaths.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Why Decision-Making Is A Teachable Leadership Skill One of the most dangerous myths in leadership is that good decision-makers are born, not made.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
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Returning to the wuxia genre that has defined much of his illustrious career, Tsui explains his approach to this latest adaptation of the classic martial arts tale.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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Junger noted that the new film would take its inspiration from Molière's 1666 play The Misanthrope, offering yet another contemporary retelling of a classic tale.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Beneath the veneer of misanthropy and the din of controversy her perspective has often incited lies a more generous sensibility that was always present but is only now coming to the fore.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
1 May 2025
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Like Bondi, Dhillon has pushed Trump’s lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sufi saints used stories, parables and allegories to teach spiritual truths.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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While Jesus may have used parables and the Apostle Paul used letters, Francis used social media to spread the Gospel.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The best are legends in the hood, with street names like Twin and Taco.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
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Zahabi is the younger brother of Tristar Gym head trainer Firas Zahabi, who is best known for his time with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Noun
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But the pace of adoption makes the possibility feel less like fiction and more like a warning.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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What was and is Lorenzo’s style was the production of Spanish fiction.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Noun
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Despite the fallout, Owens remains firm in her belief that Ye’s story has been misrepresented and his mental health unfairly weaponized.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
5 May 2025
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This story contains details from the season 2 opener of The Walking Dead: Dead City on AMC.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fable. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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