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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of metaphor
These mechanical advances evolve into an extended metaphor for modern life’s digital paradox.
—
Simon Parkin, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
The Rage Virus, too, worked as a metaphor for America and its allies' seeming bloodlust for retaliation and the forthcoming war in Iraq.
—James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Seen as a metaphor for fascism, authoritarian threats and other abuses of power, the script has experienced a resurgence recently.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
That hole becomes a metaphor for Springsteen’s complicated relationship with his withholding father (played by Adolescence‘s Stephen Graham).
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphor
Simon Parkin, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
The Rage Virus, too, worked as a metaphor for America and its allies' seeming bloodlust for retaliation and the forthcoming war in Iraq.
—James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Seen as a metaphor for fascism, authoritarian threats and other abuses of power, the script has experienced a resurgence recently.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
That hole becomes a metaphor for Springsteen’s complicated relationship with his withholding father (played by Adolescence‘s Stephen Graham).
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for metaphor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metaphor
analogy
Noun
-
In fact, a 2022 Cleveland Clinic study found that patient comprehension doubled when physicians used plain-language explanations and analogies .—
Mena Mirhom,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
O’Neil uses an hourglass analogy: Imagine counting grains of sand at the top (radioactive elements) and bottom (elements produced from radioactive decay).—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
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 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share