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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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
The film, which won the jury prize at the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film festival, is a hilarious fable about trying to lead a creative life and failing miserably at making ends meet.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 May 2025
But even more than that, Joe wants to be the hero of this warped fable.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The exhibition at DuSable Black History Museum features works made by Nazareno in response to Brazilian fables that that draw inspiration from the pantheon of Orixás–a system of entities worshipped in parts of Africa and Latin America.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The Easter Bunny is on the lookout for the best egg, and along the way, his friends tell him tales and fables.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fable
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 May 2025
But even more than that, Joe wants to be the hero of this warped fable.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The exhibition at DuSable Black History Museum features works made by Nazareno in response to Brazilian fables that that draw inspiration from the pantheon of Orixás–a system of entities worshipped in parts of Africa and Latin America.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The Easter Bunny is on the lookout for the best egg, and along the way, his friends tell him tales and fables.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fable
Noun
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Both as high-intensity nail-biter and sharp political allegory, the 2002 feature remains among the most influential horror of the 21st century.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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Gender dynamics depicted through the prism of allegory and magic realism.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
12 June 2025
Noun
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When the photographer Víctor Zea was a child living in Lima, Peru, he was taught an Inca myth of origin.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
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Getting up to speed on the modern-day reality of actual EV usage and charging habits proves to be the antidote to overcoming the ever-fading yet persistent myth of range anxiety.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Where Bailey lands is probably going to tell the tale of his career.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
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The page lists half a dozen directorial projects Ford is attached to, including ferry disaster tragedy Wahine out of New Zealand, fantasy tale The King of Light – The Order of the Dark Gods, and comedy Food Fight.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Stock photo: A couple lie inside of a campervan side by side.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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The lie corporate America has told for too long is that culture is soft.—
Greg Dolan,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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It’s been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Some such principles can even be drawn from Christ’s own parables.—
Alejandro Antonio Chafuen,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Billy and his sister Elizabeth continue to keep the advertising legend’s memory alive.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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The map legend now more clearly says where things like anomalies and bosses are.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Megan Abbott is my favorite suspense/crime fiction writer working today.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Unique blend of literary and historical fiction as well as a penetrating exploration of philosophy, art, historical responsibility and guilt in the context of war.—
Book Marks
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Drinks with a story The illustrated cocktail menu is a journey in itself, presented like a mini storybook through greater New York City.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
23 June 2025
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Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fable. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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