SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
allusion
noun
An indirect reference to something presumed to be familiar.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
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A useful distinction
Alternatives apply to the displayed meaning. Related wording may differ in tone or grammar and is not always interchangeable.
An indirect reference to something presumed to be familiar
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAlternatives apply to the displayed meaning. Related wording may differ in tone or grammar and is not always interchangeable.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See allusion in use
The novel's opening contains an allusion to an ancient voyage.
Her allusion to the earlier dispute was understood by everyone present.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license