allegorically

In representative fashion

Allegorically describes doing something in the manner of an allegory—a story or image where characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities.

When you interpret a text allegorically, you look beyond its literal meaning to find symbolic significance.

The film can be read allegorically as a critique of capitalism.

Allegorical readings were especially important in medieval biblical interpretation, where stories were understood to operate on multiple levels of meaning simultaneously.

figurative

metaphorically

Symbolically, not literally

representatively · analogously · typologically · allusively · suggestively · iconically · archetypally · connotatively · figuratively · mythically

didactic

parable

Instructive allegorical narrative

  • fableMoral tale with animals
  • mythTraditional explanatory tale
  • lessonUnit of teaching

instructive · exemplary · Aesop · cautionary · homiletic · sermonic · proverbial · wisdom · teaching · illuminating

moral

virtue

Moral goodness or merit

integrity · temperance · charity · humility · prudence · fortitude · vice · sin · redemption · salvation

Opposites
mode of interpretation

allegoricallyliterally

In exact terms

straightforwardly · directly · plainly · explicitly · prosaically

representational directness

allegoricallyexplicitly

Stated in clear terms

transparently · overtly · concretely · bluntly · baldly

Phrases
Family

allegorical

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G