dead metaphors

Definition of dead metaphorsnext
plural of dead metaphor
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead metaphors
Noun
  • Discussing why people use euphemisms online prepares children to pause and ask questions when unfamiliar terms appear.
    Sharlette A. Kellum, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
  • When Oklahoma missed out on the NCAA Tournament, AD Roger Denny announced that coach Porter Moser was staying and offered up one of the great euphemisms of this era.
    Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Salazar-Thompson’s witty script — packed with hilarious metaphors and similes (like comparing a woman’s firm grip on her purse to that of a two-toed sloth on a branch) — make for a consistently amusing trip back in time.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The artist has described works like this one as metaphors for the violence of colonialism in her home country.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
  • Ebel even alternates between hockey and baseball metaphors.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Those are harsh analogies but not wholly inapt ones.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 1 May 2026
  • Klemperer also noticed how often Nazi propaganda used sports analogies and superlatives to make its point.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead metaphors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20metaphors. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster