as in analogy
an elaborate or fanciful way of expressing something
"it's raining cats and dogs" is just a colorful metaphor and not a meteorological announcement
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Recent Examples of metaphor
The harvest field is a metaphor in the Bible which speaks to people’s openness to the Gospel.
—
Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
People who are analyzing this show are saying Wonder Man is a metaphor for anxiety.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Both plays are loopy extended metaphors, turning a funhouse mirror on the mundanities of everyday existential struggle.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
Multiple listens allow Nastasia’s metaphors and observations to float over the excellent musical arrangements.
—David Harris, SPIN, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphor
Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
People who are analyzing this show are saying Wonder Man is a metaphor for anxiety.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Both plays are loopy extended metaphors, turning a funhouse mirror on the mundanities of everyday existential struggle.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
Multiple listens allow Nastasia’s metaphors and observations to float over the excellent musical arrangements.
—David Harris, SPIN, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for metaphor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphor
analogy
Noun
-
The intent was beautiful; the analogy of daily deposits.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The best analogy to direct democracy in contemporary life is jury duty, which generally seems to go better than anyone expects.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metaphor. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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