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
With a beautifully labyrinthian plot, Alma and Mina’s story is a modern fable about good samaritans and well-intentioned, moneyed, privileged people.
—
Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for fable
Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for fable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fable
Noun
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Ahead of the Europa League semi-final, Postecoglou spoke to his players about the Stonecutter’s Credo (also known as pounding the rock), an allegory for persistence even when progress may not be visible.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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The film, a blistering political allegory, is the latest in her long collaboration with Rasoulof (Goodbye, A Man of Integrity).—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Historically, fonio carries deep reverence and myth.—
Osayi Endolyn,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 May 2025
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There are several myths that certain foods are bad for thyroid function, including gluten and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower).—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2025
Noun
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The story splits its time between young Wash's misadventures and the older, adult Wash's tale of first love with a biracial woman, Tanna (Iola Evans), and a brush with danger in the form of bounty hunter, Willard (Billy Boyd).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
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While the sight of Lamia carrying around the proud cockerel has the makings of an image straight out of a children’s tale, nothing in the little girl’s life has storybook qualities.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Noun
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But to see American history as simply a narrative of heroism would be a lie unbecoming a great nation.—
James T. Kloppenberg,
Time,
28 May 2025
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Like it or not, businesses and thought leaders operate in an information ecosystem where willful lies and concocted conspiracies are amplified by algorithms.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
28 May 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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Their bodies were never found, so their legend lives on.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Listen to this article 3 min With Reggie Miller on the call, the Indiana Pacers paid homage to their franchise legend on Wednesday night.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The title is a reference to Samuel Beckett’s classic play about a pair of drifters stuck waiting for a visitor who never shows, while his blend of fact and fiction takes a page from Gonzo classics like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
29 May 2025
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In the trailer for Season 3, it’s revealed that Carrie is breaking into fiction writing with a potential romantasy novel.—
Hannah Malach,
Footwear News,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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Back at the hotel bar, the bartender told them the lamentable story of Irn‑Bru.—
Patricia Lockwood,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fable. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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